Fort Ras al-Hadd

Fort Ras Al Hadd is an ancient Islamic fort located in the village of Ras Al Hadd in the Ash Sharqiyah Governorate, Oman. It is one of the main tourist and historical attractions in the Wilayat of Sur in particular, and the South Ash Sharqiyah Governorate as a whole. It is situated in Ras Al Hadd, approximately 35 kilometers from the center of the Wilayat.

The sun first rises over the Ras Al Hadd Niyabat on the Arabian Peninsula and serves as the boundary between the Omani and Arabian seas. The fort is located on a high plateau overlooking the residential areas of the Niyabat, as well as naval ship bases and the entrance to Al Hajar Bay, which flows from the Arabian Sea.

The fort was built between 1560 and 1590 by the tribes of the Niyabat, taking about three decades to complete. The fort consists of a castle and two towers connected by a large wall, with a base width of about 3 meters. It stands on a solid foundation made of gypsum and stone.

When a person arrives at the fort, they are greeted by large gates measuring 2.5 meters wide and 3 meters long.

On the eastern side of Fort Ras Al Hadd, there is an open room 3 meters wide, 6.5 meters long, and 3.5 meters high, with a large sofa. It was used as a waiting hall in addition to the Al-Sabla “Majlis” hall, which was used for settling disputes. Its width is 3 meters, length 4.25 meters, and height 3.5 meters. There is also another room that was used as a temporary prison, measuring 3 meters wide, 5.25 meters long, and 3.5 meters high.

The fort also includes a citadel, which once served as the last line of defense. It is 13.25 meters high, 13 meters wide, and 16 meters long, with a tower 7 meters in diameter. There is also an 8-meter basement that turns eastward and extends beyond the eastern wall for about 500 meters.

Sources:

https://timesofoman.com/article/121946-we-love-oman-an-old-islamic-fort-located-in-ras-al-hadd