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Visiting Oman’s forts – historic Oman with kids

Sack upon sack of dates would have lain in the fort’s storeroom, piled high until the sheer weight of the fruit squeezed the juice from the lowest bags into the cleverly cut channel or specially positioned jars.

A view of a flag flying above the buildings of Nizwa fort in Oman seen through a pointed archway - visiting Nizwa fort with kids
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In times of peace, that would have been whisked to the kitchens for cooking, or saved to be used in medicines. In times of conflict, the dates would have sustained the inhabitants during a siege – and the juice boiled and thrown onto the enemy.

My five-year-old, listening intently, put on her sternest face. “That is NOT a very nice thing to do Mummy,” she said severely. Visiting the historic forts in Oman’s interior was proving an education for us both.

Away from the coast, where the Sultans reigned, this area was traditionally ruled by the Imams and the forts they built to secure their land still stand today in the Dakhiliya region. Visiting three of the main ones – Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin (or Jibreen/Jabreen Castle) – we got to see a taste of what life would have been like, dates and all.

Built mostly in the 17th century, although often on the foundations of older buildings, there’s something to see in them all – and we let our imaginations race as we climbed staircases for rooftop views, or peeked into rooms hidden within the imposing mud brick walls.

Visiting Oman’s forts: Nizwa fort

One of the region’s oldest forts, the town was the ancient capital of Oman.

It’s still renowned as the home of silver jewellery and sticky sweet halwa, sold in one of the sprawling souks nearby, divided up into very specific areas depending on what’s sold – from fish, fruit, goats and camels to traditional khanjar daggers and camel fridge magnets.

Golden in the sunlight, the smell of hot mud scenting the air much to my daughter’s vocal disgust, it’s a perfect introduction.

Here we discovered the potentially lethal side of dates, packed into 70kg sacks – each one around four times as heavy as Minnie. In another, the ‘ablutions’ room, water was channeled for washing with a separate area for fire to heat it.

Hooks hung for buckets by an old well, while another room was set aside for a shepherd, velvety cushions adorning guest chambers.

The view out to the minaret and dome of the mosque in Nizwa from its historic mud brick fort, with blue sky and mountains in the distance - my tips for visiting Oman's forts with kids

And as we climbed the steps to the roof, we uncovered another of the building’s secrets – holes in the zigzag staircases to trap the unwary, with planks which could be whipped out of the floor.

Glassed over today, attackers unfamiliar with the building would have stood little chance in the darkness, plunging into the pits below. Minnie seemed unfazed by this particular method of defence but couldn’t be persuaded to stand on them.

Cannon remain ranged around the top, with the crenellated towers looking out to the mountains and the mosque, a flag flying in the occasional breeze.

A view from Nizwa fort out onto the former capital of the interior in Oman, looking out across the golden arched fortifications to the minaret tower and Hajar mountains beyond - my nine reasons to visit Oman with kids

Below, there’s a small museum with exhibits and artefacts showing everything from historic irrigation methods to traditional dress and jewellery as well as a timeline of Oman set against the rest of the world – something I’d have love to spend longer poring over.

But after travelling from Muscat, we had the peak of Jebel Shams to reach before our stay in the mountains at The View. Besides there was halwa with our name on waiting in the souk.

Visiting Oman’s forts: Bahla fort

Bahla, a World Heritage site, has its own long history. The area, once home to the Banu Nebhan tribe until the 15th century, is dominated by the glinting white curves of its towers – how mud can gleam so palely in the sun still puzzles me.

There’s less to see inside the sprawling fort but wandering the rabbit warren of restored rooms and passages is fascinating – from the huge open central courtyard, staircases rose to the parapet in all direction, a labyrinth taking us to tiny roof terraces and viewpoints.

Almost empty of people while we were there, it’s incredible to think how many could have fitted inside this vast fort, its towering walls shading us as we peered around corners.

And it still has the power to surprise: peering into one unlit chamber, a startled bat squeaked from its roost high in the darkness above, a sudden rush of wings above our heads.

Perhaps the legend that Bahla is home to djinn, those magical, mercurial and magnificent spirits, might not be too far from the truth?

Visiting Oman’s forts: Jabrin Castle

If Bahla is almost entirely empty, of decoration, information and people, Jabrin’s fort 10 minutes away is perfect for getting more idea of life inside.

With an audio guide, more detail on signs around the fortress and decorated rooms, this site was designed to be lived in rather than purely as a defensive structure so there’s much more to discover as you explore – although group of schoolgirls visiting were far more fascinated by my daughter.

In the central courtyard, huge water jars big enough to hold a five-year-old and pots for food line the walls, ready for cooking to be done under this open sky.

Above, wooden balconies on the floors above look down, creamy arches illuminated behind.

Something of a maze as well, we wandered through receiving rooms to private quarters, even a stall for the imam’s favourite horse, before stumbling across several jails along the way: while the women’s prison was an ordinary bare room, the men’s was accessed through a tiny opening which even Minnie had to crouch to scurry through.

In another part of the fort lie the library and reception rooms with painted ceilings as well as the imam’s own personal quarters.

Below, the tomb of Imam Bil’arab bin Sultan, the third of the Yaruba imams, who had ordered the structure built in the 17th century.

Lying peacefully apart, under beautiful calligraphy on the walls, the tale tells that he met his end during a siege. Believing they had lost, he prayed to god to die – and, as the story tells, his prayer was answered.

Succeeded by his brother – a rather more successful ruler, who fought the Portuguese in East Africa after years of conflict to expel them from Oman – the history related here doesn’t mention exactly how his prayer was answered, but the guide books suggest there was some rather more human intervention than divine…

Visiting Oman’s forts: Need to know

The forts are open from around 9am to 4pm on Saturday to Thursday. Bahla Fort and Jabrin Castle are also open on Friday morning.

Entrance costs around 500 baisa for adults (around £1), children free.

We visited Nizwa on the way from Muscat to Jebel Shams and Al Hamra, then stopped at Bahla and Jabrin the following morning on our journey to Wahiba Sands – you can see our complete one-week Oman itinerary here.

PIN FOR LATER: VISITING OMAN’S FORTS

My tips for visiting Oman's forts with kids - heading into the historic interior of Oman to Nizwa, Bahla and Jabrin (also known as Jibreen or Jabreen), we discovered how life was lived and the many uses of dates. #omanwithkids #familyoman #oman #visitoman #mummytravels

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34 Comments

  1. Wow! I love visiting castles & forts and these look great. I thought I wanted to go to Oman and now I am sure of it. I will be pinching your one week itinerary in a minute! Wilbur. #citytripping.

    1. Pinch away! I loved how much we packed into the week – you could easily spend longer, including wandering around the forts.

  2. The architecture and history here looks and sounds fascinating! It’s so different from anywhere else I’ve been, I’d love to pay a visit myself! #citytripping

  3. Oman’s forts have some creative history, that’s for sure. I don’t think I’ll look at another date the same way again. 😉 #citytripping

    1. I know! They’re part of traditional hospitality with coffee, so we saw them everywhere – think they’re more harmless these days 😉

  4. I have very little experience travelling in the middle east (I’ve flown over it often enough). So refreshing to read of travel beyond Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Thanks for the middle eastern #citytripping suggestions!

  5. How beautiful! Its amazing how much detail and beauty there is despite the lack of color in the buildings. It almost makes the details stand out more. It sounds like a wonderful visit! #CityTripping

    1. Absolutely – almost all the buildings are white or a sandy colour, but as you say, that simplicity draws the eye to the beautiful lines and the details.

  6. What a great post about places that are not discussed that much on travel blogs (at least, I have not read a lot about them). I enjoyed reading about the historical facts. Visits to places like this are better when you have a guide. I cannot think about date juice used as a weapon. They are too good! #citytripping

  7. I never knew that dates could kill 🙂 Fascinating history about the forts. I’m glad that you have visited Oman which seems to be overshadowed by glittering and glamorous Dubai. It’s only a matter of time that Oman will come up as the hottest (no pun intended!) destination in the Middle East. #Citytripping

    1. I definitely think it’s a far more interesting country to visit – so much more to discover, I’d very happily go back for another week (or more!)

  8. I just can’t get over these photos, they’re all so wonderful! This seems like such a magical trip, you’ve captured my imagination for sure! #citytripping

  9. Wonderful photos and information about a fantastic place. You certainly did a lot of your trip to Oman #citytripping

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