Shinas Castle

The Shinas Castle or Fort was built during the rule of the Nabhanis in 650 AH / 1229 AD for defense, patronage, as well as serving as a residence, court, and school. The fort played a crucial role in repelling attacks on the local inhabitants and is one of the main fortresses of Batna.

The existing Shinas Castle was built around 1800 and is located in the city center at the market. Inside the fort, there are rooms for storing weapons and provisions, as well as quarters for guards and discussions of state affairs. It also includes a mosque, a well, and five cannons. The fort has four towers, three round and one rectangular, of various sizes. The fort walls, made of brick and clay, are decorated with openings.

At that time, the city of Shinas was allied with the Persians and completely separated from the rest of Oman. They also fought against British shipping in the Persian Gulf alongside the Ras Al Khaimah Al Qasimi tribe. The British and Omanis retaliated, and in 1810 the fort was forced to surrender and was looted.

In the past, it was the residence of the governor and judge; it was a judicial center regulating disputes among citizens. Moreover, the governor became the link between the state and the citizens through the traditional tribal control system.

The Ministry of Heritage and Culture restored the fortress in 1984, and it was opened in 1986 during the reign of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinas