Nizwa Fort

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Without doubt one of the finest monuments to Omani architectural ingenuity, Nizwa Fort reflects the military genius in the field of defensive engineering.

This superb 17th century fort — the largest on the Arabian peninsula — stands as a monument to the turbulent days of Ya’arubi dynastic times. Imam Sultan bin Saif al Ya'arubi completed construction in 1668 and its design reflects the refinements made in military fortification based on what had been learned over centuries past. The rounded walls and towers took some 12 years to build, and are said to have been constructed from materials taken from other forts as the spoils of war.

Two sizeable cannons stand guard over the entrance from which a labyrinth of rooms, stairs and corridors spill out. The amazing 115 foot-diameter central tower has battlements, wells (drawn from subterranean streams and thus ensuring it could withstand a siege), secret shafts and false doors and epitomises the thought and planning that went into the fort’s construction.

The fort is still used: presiding Imams and Walis that governed Nizwa from the citadel used to meet with local people here and the Wali of Nizwa continues the tradition, meeting residents here monthly.

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