Monuments to visit Oman

Built in the early 17th century by Saif bin Sultan Al Ya'rubi, a powerful ruler whose influence extended to Persia, India and East Africa, this fort was the main defence of the western coastal region. Refurbished in 1990, it has four towers, three of which are rectangular, and a round main tower that is slightly different from those of the other citadels in that it is less wide at the top than at the bottom. This architectural specificity was supposed to ensure a better resistance to cannon balls.

Oman's highest fort is surrounded by ramparts that once included no less than twelve towers. Built on the rock, its walls seem to be an integral part of the rock. It is an imposing building that has been carefully restored. It is surrounded by abundant nature and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area, especially of the mountain foothills. It is said that it was once connected to the citadel of Al Hazm, some twenty kilometres away, by a tunnel. Entrance is possible through four different gates: Al-Ya'arubi, Al-Wasut, Al-Sharjah and the main gate. The structure is adjacent to a falaj that is over 130 years old. The first buildings of the complex were constructed in 1250 from Persian ruins. The fort was later enlarged over the years, and in 1650 it was remodelled by Nasir bin Murshid. It is a construction of impressive dimensions, where it is easy to get lost in the maze of rooms, doors, staircases and underground passages (many and dark). When you are lucky or unlucky to be there alone, you almost get scared in the string of such naked rooms! On the top floor is the tomb of the members of the family of the late Sultan Qaboos of the Al-Bu Said dynasty. Unlike the other forts, this one has no real interior design, and that's a pity: no explanatory panel, no furniture, no antique objects or accessories. But what a mass behind this jagged enclosure of more than 200 battlements!

Built in the 19th century to defend the city of Qurayyat and guarded by two old Portuguese made cannons, the fort stands next to the souk, along the main road that runs through the city. Recently restored, it is typical of the defensive structures along the coast of Oman, with high crenellated walls and a round watchtower. Kitchen, living rooms, objects, everything is in its place, and allows us to imagine the life of the inhabitants of the past. Notice the beauty of the front door or the containers coming from China, and the "made in Zanzibar" chest.

An important trading city on the route to India and the former capital of Oman, Sohar was an important port from antiquity until the 16th century. Today only its fort/museum bears witness to its past splendor. The citadel has the originality of being white, like all the big buildings of the city, but unlike all the Omani forts, of ochre color. It was probably built between the 13th and 14th centuries by Prince Baha al-Din Ayaz of Hormuz. The princes of Hormuz were no strangers to this region. The first to come to the sultanate was Mahamad Dram Ku, a direct descendant of the kings of Sabah, from the province of Arabia. During the excavations carried out in the fort, many valuable ceramic and porcelain objects were discovered, testifying to the fortune of its inhabitants. Restored, the defensive building now houses an interesting museum that traces the history of the region and the city of Sohar through writings and the display of ancient objects. The rooms to be visited occupy three floors, but it is also advisable to climb higher, to the roof of one of the towers from where one can overlook the sea and the palm grove that stretches as far as the eye can see. The chronicle tells that the garrison of 1,000 men who held the place surrendered without firing a single cannonball to the Portuguese invader Afonso de Albuquerque. On the spot, one can also admire the mausoleum of an emblematic character of Omani history, Sayyid Thuwaini bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman from 1856 to 1866.

Housed in a superbly restored ^17th-century fortified house, this museum is a journey back in time, taking us into the daily lives of the Omanis of yesteryear. From one room to the next, the countless objects on display tell us about the lifestyles of adults and children alike, through an eclectic collection ranging from traditional weapons, tools, jewelry, kitchen utensils, etc. (which can also be seen in certain forts) to more "familiar" objects such as old toys, bicycles, old school bags and candy wrappers!

The iconic Al Bustan Palace (now the Ritz-Carlton) is much more than a luxury hotel. Nicknamed "The Jewel of the Sultanate", this nine-storey edifice certainly lives up to its name.

Following the accession to the throne of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said as ruler of the Sultanate of Oman in 1970, the country experienced significant progress in various sectors, including education, health, infrastructure and so on. During this period of "renaissance", the Sultanate of Oman became a leading and active partner in Gulf and Arab affairs, as well as in the international community. It soon became necessary to provide the country with sufficiently prestigious facilities and establishments to welcome visiting heads of state and their delegations, as well as international conferences and other high-level gatherings, in particular those of the Arab League, the Islamic Conference and, most important of all, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said's dream came true: he decided that Al Bustan Palace would be built to host the 1985 Gulf Cooperation Council summit. From the outset, it was planned that when not in use for state meetings, the building would function as a luxury hotel. After much deliberation, the Ministerial Committee was convinced to build the Palace on the eastern side of the city, by the sea. As the original village of Al Bustan stretched 6 km along the center of the beach, it was decided that the hotel would be built a little to the rear, in the heart of the area occupied by plantations. This posed a major problem, however: a 35-metre-high mountain had to be levelled before construction could begin! Site preparation was completed on August 16, 1983, and the foundation stone was laid.

During construction, the famous dome and its cladding, manufactured by 3 different companies in 3 different locations, were assembled over a weekend in a schoolyard in Liverpool, England, to ensure that everything fitted perfectly before shipment to Oman. Emblematically, the building's octagonal shape is mainly inspired by Islamic architecture. A total of 97 types of stone and 800 tonnes of the finest marble from Syria, Iran, Italy and India were used for the hotel's framework and flooring. The seven corners of the immense lobby each represent a GCC country and are adorned with arabesques, wood carvings, mother-of-pearl and gold leaf. The incredible central lamp hanging from the 38-metre-high dome, a reminder of the mountain that once stood on the same spot, is made up of some 3,000 bulbs and nine dazzling crystal chandeliers. Another not-to-be-missed piece is the sumptuous 3.5-metre-high fountain, also in crystal. Made exclusively for Al Bustan Palace, it represents a fabulous treasure chest.

In the afternoon, under the large sparkling dome, you can treat yourself to an exceptional high tea , magnificently served in ceramic crockery specifically designed for the palace. Everything is done to give visitors a deep sense of belonging and disconnection, while wisps of incense perfume the Atrium, creating a suspended moment in the Oman of yesteryear.

Perched on its rocky spur, this panoramic look-out built in 1507 offers wide views of the Bay of Mutrah and the coastal districts on one side, the mountains and the inland districts on the other - a strategic position to spot invaders arriving by sea as well as by land. Unlike the other forts in the country, this one is not subject to any development, but consists of a succession of ramparts, watchtowers and external platforms that are valiantly reached by a flight of steps. Every good selfie has to be earned!

Sohar's fish market is one of the largest in the country and is quite large. It is held on the waterfront in a large modern white building with characteristic dhow-like architecture. Inside, in good order, are the tiled stalls covered with the many fish that the Gulf of Oman sacrifices every day to the nets of local fishermen. Even if one has nothing to buy, the place is worth seeing for its scenes of life and trade, especially as the place is much less touristy than the Fish Market of Mutrah.

Well restored, the building has a defence tower more than 450 years old offering a beautiful panorama of the surroundings. The construction was done in several stages, which explains why the main door, carved from a single piece of wood, is only 350 years old. The various rooms, including the Arabic lounge, are decorated with carpets and oil lamps. The courtroom houses jewellery and old rifles. Among the successive imams, Ahmed bin Sad was the one who dared to plan a polygonal tower. With humor, we speak of cubist inspiration!

This imposing castle-like house was built in the 17th century by Imam Bil Arab bin Sultan and his brother Imam Saif bin Sultan. It was a kind of caravanserai, a place of passage and meeting for armies and travellers between Rustaq and Muscat. Restored in 1992, the house unfolds a succession of ornate rooms, much more than the average citadel, with antique furniture and accessories that give an idea of the way of life of the Omanis in the old days and their defence system. Interesting visit.

A fort in the desert, a solitary sentinel facing the immensity. A little imagination will help us to conceive of its eminent role in this outpost on the shores of the sea of sand, when it served as a shelter and a place of command under the Bani Nabhan of the 13th century. On these very ancient foundations, Al Hawari bin Malik (1406-1428) had high walls and a tower that does not protrude beyond the ensemble. Reconstructed several times and renovated at the end of the 20th century, this noble and simple fort offers above all the opportunity to climb up to its heights to embrace the dune landscape.

In the ocre-pink dress, on a palm-bottom backdrop, this is a sumptuous orientalist décor. Largely ignored by flowered visitors flows, Bu Hassan's fort seems to us to be the most complete and balanced of all in this region. Its foundation dates from the ninth century, the era of Imam Al Muhana bin Jaifar. Sayyid Said bin Sultan (1804-1856) built this magnificent building restored in 1992. The surrounding area, the fort, the framework of a perfect palm grove, without signs to neon and sellers of laptops. Photo sequence.

This large fortified house(Bayt) was built in the ^17th century by Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al Ya'rubi in order to protect the access to Jebel Akhdar and the falaj Al Khatmeen, which is essential for the irrigation of the vast oasis of Birkat Al-Mawz and which runs through the castle. With its arches, bas-reliefs and painted ceilings, the building is not without a certain elegance. It has all the attributes of a defensive building with its central courtyard, its towers at opposite angles and its crenellated ramparts. Renovated, it houses an interesting small museum of arms.

Mirbat Fort is a massive square fortress built of earth and local stone. Its architecture is typical of a defensive building with towers, a parapet walk and a vast inner courtyard. However, it was not only used for military purposes, but also as a residence and administrative center. Renovated, the fort now houses a well-designed museum on Omani culture.

Next to the Fort, take a look at the old market and its old mud stores - now derelict.

Superbly restored using traditional Omani materials, this beautiful ^19th-century fortified residence once belonged to the royal family. Impressive in size, it measures 40 meters long by 30 meters wide, with some fifteen rooms arranged around a vast inner courtyard and protected by crenellated ramparts. Multi-purpose (kitchen, reception rooms, bedrooms, etc.), the rooms are spread over two levels. In addition to being a museum, the residence regularly hosts cultural events.

The fortress of Al-Fiyqin stands out from other Omani bastions by its verticality and its appearance of a colossal square tower. Established in a fertile plain, its impressive height exceeds the ancient houses and vegetation of the oasis, offering from its top and its various loopholes and openings, a wide perspective on the surroundings - which used to allow spotting the enemy and favors today beautiful panoramic photos! Built 400 years ago and well renovated, the defensive building is on four levels.