Sur al-Lawatia Tower - the gate to the closed city of Shiites

JHC6+PFH, Muscat, Oman

Sur al-Lawatia is a walled district consisting of about 200-300 houses, representing a small Shia community located directly next to the Mutrah market. The Sur al-Lawatia tower is the only surviving tower of the original four defensive towers that once surrounded the walled enclave of Sur al-Lawatia in the old town of Muttrah in Muscat.

Oman: The Land of Fortresses

The Sur al-Lawatia Tower is located in the city of Mutrah in the Muscat Governorate of Oman.

Sur al-Lawatia is a walled district consisting of about 200-300 houses, representing a small Shia community located directly next to the Mutrah market. The Sur al-Lawatia Tower is the only surviving tower of the original four defensive towers that once surrounded the walled enclave of Sur al-Lawatia in the old city of Mutrah in Muscat. It is unknown when the walled district was built. It is assumed that the settlement of Mutrah was originally founded by the Portuguese and that the walled district was the location of their garrison in the 17th century. Later, after the Portuguese were expelled, the Sultan handed it over to the Al-Lawatia trading tribe (or Lawatiya). This tribe originates from the Sindh province of Pakistan. They immigrated to Oman between 1780 and 1850. In the 19th century, they converted to Shia Islam from Ismaili Islam.

It is unknown when the walled district was built. It is assumed that the settlement of Mutrah was originally founded by the Portuguese and that the walled district was the location of their garrison in the 17th century. Later, after the Portuguese were expelled, the Sultan handed it over to the Al-Lawati tribe.

Access to Sur al-Lawatia is possible only through one of two gates – the main gate and the back gate. Outsiders are generally not allowed to enter the enclave, and those who try to do so (without accompaniment) are usually denied access by those at the entrance. Near the main entrance to the district on Mutrah Corniche is Oman's main Shia mosque, Musjid Al-Rasul Al-Adham.

The Sur al-Lawatia Tower can only be seen from the outside. It is a simple tower, pleasant to look at when you visit the atmospheric Mutrah market. Mutrah Fort is located nearby.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Lawatia

https://www.castles.nl/sur-lawatia-tower

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