This fort in Oman is now open to public

Muscat: Oman’s latest tourist attraction showcasing the Sultanate’s traditions of tolerance, openness, and acceptance, the foundations of the country, has been opened for tourists by the Ministry of Tourism.
The renovated Mirbat Fort was opened by the Ministry of Tourism to coincide with the Khareef season which brings tens of thousands of tourists into the country’s Dhofar Governorate every summer.
The opening of the fort is part of the nation’s endeavour to drive tourism forward and share Oman’s cultural values with the world.
“We hope that this project will be a cultural centre and an attraction for tourists coming to the wilayat,” said Sultan Al Makhmari, Acting Director of the Department of Historical Sites.
“It will be beneficial for the people of the wilayat who will be able to market their crafts to them.”
Overlooking the Arabian Sea and with stunning views of the Dhofari coastline and its swaying palm trees and magnificent sandy beaches, Mirbat Fort is ideally located for visitors who wish to catch a glimpse of what makes Oman such a unique location in the Middle East.
The fort consists of two floors made of interactive panels that feature key moments in Oman’s history and the events that shaped its culture. This permanent exhibition was designed to emphasise Oman’s values of love, tolerance, and peace, and focuses on the interaction and cultural exchanges Oman had with civilisations of the past, according to Al Makhmari.
Abdullah Al Dhahli, Assistant Director General for the Development of Historical Sites and Tourism Products of the Ministry of Tourism, said many parties worked hard to ensure the fort opened in time.
“In view of the size of the Mirbat Fort, we can say that it was a valuable addition to the tourism sector of the governorate,” he said. “It could become one of the major historical sites frequently visited by tourists. It has many historical components of the local society in Mirbat in the form of archeological items.”
The original Mirbat Fort was built in the 13th century AD, and was constructed on the orders of HM Sultan Said bin Taimur for the fortification and protection of the inhabitants of the northern sectors of the region after it was beset by floods. The fort covers about 467 sq. metres of land area and has a height of 12 metres.
The first floor of the fort used to house a congregation hall, a prison, and stores of food and weapons, while the second floor featured a residence for the family of the Wali (governor) of the region, as well as an army barracks for soldiers garrisoned at the fort.
Al Dhahli added that the ministry wanted to prepare and develop Mirbat Fort in collaboration with the local community through the creation and development of documentary films, photographs, and historical studies.
Aside from local individuals, local associations such as the Omani Women’s Association of Mirbat also participated in the process, while various handicraft industries supplied local handicrafts to the fort.