Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Sur: Castles and forts in the Sultanate are an extension of the Omani civilised, cultural and military history, which date back to more than 5,000 years.
The geographical location of the Sultanate and the maritime and commercial activity of its people have exposed it to many civilisations from that era.
These castles and forts are one of the most prominent historical and cultural monuments that stand witness to the greatness of the Omani people and they are the pride of architecture.
The forts in the Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah are one of the intangible heritage elements that have long been cherished by the governorate. They reflect the development and prosperity that were experienced by Oman at that time. This is evident in the richness and diversity of historic buildings and their content of the defensive, architectural and aesthetic elements.
The Ras Al Hadd Fortress is one of the main tourist and historical attractions in the Wilayat of Sur, in particular and the Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah in general. It is located in the Nayabat of Ras Al Hadd, about 35 kilometres away from the centre of the wilayat.
The sun first rises on the Niyabat of Ras Al Hadd in the Arabian Peninsula, and acts as the separation between the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
The fort is located on a high plateau overlooking the residential areas of the Niyabat, as well as naval locations of the ships and the entrance of the Al Hajar creek that runs from the Sea of Oman .
The fort was built during 1560 to 1590 by all tribes of the Niyabat, which took about three decades of construction.
The fort consists of a castle and two towers connected by a large wall. The base is about 3 metres in width. It is a solid foundation built of plaster and stone.
When one arrives at the fort, he or she is faced by a large gate, which is 2.5 metres in width and is 3 metres length.
In the east of the Ras Al Hadd Fort, there is an open room with a large seat. The room is 3 metres wide, 6.5 metres long, and 3.5 metres high.
It was used as a waiting hall, in addition to the Al Sabla room “Majlis,” which was used to settle disputes. It is 3 metres in width, and 4.25 metres in length and 3.5 metres in height. There is also another room that was used as a temporary prison, which is 3 metres wide, 5.25 metres long and 3.5 metres high.
The fort also includes a castle, which used to act as a last line of defence. It is 13.25 metres in height, 13 metres wide and 16 metres long. There is a tower that has a diameter of 7 metres. There is also an 8 metre basement, which turns eastward and out of the borders of the eastern wall extending about 500 metres.
Scenic spots
Saud bin Hamad Al Alawi, director of Tourism Department in the Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah said the Ministry of Tourism has paid most attention and care to Ras Al Hadd Fort, along with forts and other scenic spots in the governorate. The fort was renovated twice; the first time was in 1989 by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture and the second time was in 2008 by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism.
