Fortresses, castles and defence towers in Oman

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Hundreds of castles and defence towers secured the towns and trade routes of northern Oman in the past. Fortresses began to be built at strategically important points in pre-Islamic times as a place of refuge for the population, such as that of Nakhl. Most of those that remain today date from the 17th and 18th centuries. Their simple walls were built of stone, baked bricks and clay. Inside, they are often decorated with elaborate stucco work and carvings on the doors. The complex of Jabreen is famous for its painted wooden ceilings, that of Al Hazm for its stucco work. The largest fortress in the country is located in the Bahla Oasis, Bahla Fort. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Many elements of fortified architecture can also be found in the design of Omani residential buildings: the masonry is often reinforced with towers and battlements, and the water reservoirs on the roof are often crenellated small towers.

Most fortresses can be visited for a rather low entrance fee.

The exhibition rooms are often decorated like local history museums with furnishings and local handicrafts or weaponry, and in some places informative panels provide vivid information about the history and culture of the region.