Fort Mutrah (Muttrah)

Mutrah Fort is a stone guardian on a cliff, towering over the picturesque port of Mutrah in Muscat, Oman. Its history, like an ancient book, is full of the wisdom of time and adventures, telling stories of trade, wars, and cultural exchange.

Like the great citadels of Bahrain, Diu, Goa, and Mombasa, Mutrah Fort is directly connected to the first Portuguese Empire, which arose during the Age of Discovery. The experience of Portuguese sailors allowed them to sail around the Cape of Good Hope and find another way to access the lucrative spice trade, which until then had been monopolized in Europe by the Venetians (who worked exclusively with the sultans of Egypt). The fort became not only a symbol of military power but also an important link in the defense and trade system managed by the rulers of these lands.

Mutrah Fort is located in the wilayat of Mutrah, in the Muscat province of Oman. The fort is situated on an elevated position in the Al Hajar Mountains, overlooking the natural harbor of Port Sultan Qaboos, making it virtually impregnable to attacks while providing surveillance over the surrounding area from its watchtowers.

It is believed that the fort was built by Omanis in 1507 but was later modified and strengthened with towers and strong walls by the Portuguese in the 1560s during their occupation of Oman. It is thought that either the Portuguese built the first two towers on this rocky cliff as part of the Muscat defense system around 1575, or the towers were originally built by Omanis in 1507 and later fortified by the Portuguese, who connected the towers with walls, turning it into a true fort. The fort’s defense was supported by eight watchtowers located on rocky outcrops around it, each strategically placed so that the fort’s fire could destroy any tower if captured. The fort has an elongated shape, following the contour of the cliff on which it was built.

In the 17th century, Imam Saif bin Sultan, ruler of Oman, liberated Mutrah and Oman from the Portuguese, and since then the fort has remained an important defensive structure, maintaining its role into modern times.

Mutrah Fort is relatively small, as its main function is observation and defense, so there are no rooms or resting places inside. It stretches along the hill, providing many vantage points over the steep Mutrah Corniche, the harbor, and impressive rocky outcrops.

The fort’s three round towers are armed with cannons. The first tower is at the top, the second is located on the western front, and the third rises north of the large tower. Numerous stairs lead to an open platform, illuminating another tower on the north side of the fort, where one of the oldest cannons is proudly displayed. This cannon has become one of the fort’s main attractions, offering a magnificent view of the harbor, Mutrah Souq market, fish market, corniche, and the azure sea.

Mutrah Fort was renovated in the 1980s; the old cannons scattered along the walls are noteworthy, as are the slightly more modern artillery pieces from World War II. However, the panoramic view of the Mutrah Corniche makes Mutrah Fort a must-visit.

Built from dark stone, Mutrah Fort proudly overlooks the ocean like an unshakable guardian. The high walls and bastions, constructed in traditional Portuguese style, testify to the fort’s strategic importance in Oman’s history.

The fort was designed as a protector of the port of Mutrah and controlled important sea routes. Its elevated position provided not only defense against enemy attacks but also the ability to monitor trading ships entering the port. Thus, it became a key element in Oman’s defense and trade system.

Mutrah Fort was twice captured during invasions by Ottoman fleets under the command of Admirals Piri Reis and Ali Bey at the end of the 16th century. The Omanis took the fort in the 1650s, which was a key moment in expelling the Portuguese from Oman in 1654.

The fort’s importance continued as Oman actively engaged in trade with the East and West. The fort remained a symbol of resilience and the country’s connection to global trade routes.

Such is Mutrah Fort — not just a stone structure but a living page of Oman’s history. It speaks of a great heritage, a heroic past, and how the ancient world interacts with the modern, creating a unique mosaic of culture and history of this land.

Sources:

https://www.muttrahfort.om/about-fort.php

https://www.castles.nl/mutrah-fort