Liwa Fort
| Liwa Fort | |
|---|---|
Arabic: حِصْنُ لِوَىٰ | |
| Near Harmul in Liwa, Al Batinah North Governorate, Oman | |
 A view of Liwa Fort | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fort |
| Owner | The Government of Oman under the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism |
| Controlled by | The  Ya'rubid Dynasty under the  Imamate of Oman (1600s–1738)
|
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Restored |
| Location | |
  Liwa Fort Location in Oman | |
| Coordinates | 24°31′18″N 56°34′33″E / 24.521761°N 56.575745°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 17th century (approx.) |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison |  Royal Army of Oman (1600s–2002)
The Royal Oman Police as guards (2003-present) |
Liwa Fort (Arabic: حِصْنُ لِوَىٰ, romanized: Hiṣn Liwā) is a fort located in the eastern coast of the Wilayah (Province) of Liwa in Oman. Located about 1.5 kilometers from the center of the Wilayah, the fort was built by the Ya'rubids around 400 years ago under either Imam Nasir bin Murshid or Sultan bin Saif.[1]
58 meters in length and 75 meters in width, it was once regarded as the center of Liwa, the fort was used for protection as well as the residence of the Wali (Governor), and a place to discuss and manage the Wilayah’s affairs. The fort is unique because it is located very close to the sea, which is unusual for many Omani forts. The fort is allegedly the namesake of the entire Wilayat of Liwa, accredited to the many palm trees twining around the fort.[2][3]
Location
[edit]Liwa Fort is located in the Wilayah (Province) of Liwa, part of the Al Batinah North Governorate in northern Oman. Positioned approximately 1.5 kilometers from the center of the Wilayat, the fort lies near the coast, surrounded by farmland, it can be reached via Harmul Street, an ancillary thoroughfare in Liwa. Its towers provide views of nearby settlements, including the coastal village of Harmul, located 2 kilometers away, famous for its natural mangrove habitats and graffiti art.[2]
Architecture & use
[edit]Liwa Fort is characterised by its high walls and five observation towers, providing expansive views of the surrounding region. The central structure, known as Al-Qasbah, is a three-story building featuring five rooms and two halls. This building housed the Wali and his family and served as a place for governance and observation. The Wali, the judge and a group of sheikhs and dignitaries used to meet every morning in the fort to discuss the Wilayat’s affairs and resolve disputes and topics of interest to citizens of the Wilayat. Additionally, there is a Majlis (guest & conference room), historically known as "Al Sablah". In addition, there are three wells scattered in the Fort at various sites, which were used in the past for many purposes, including cooking and irrigating plants in the Fort. The Ministry of Heritage and Culture started restoration work in 2000 for the Fort and completed it in 2003.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ الشعيلي, خالد (2020-07-19). "لوى التاريخ العريق والحاضر المشرق". صحيفة النبأ الإلكترونية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ a b http://bitwize.com.lb, Bitwize-. "We Love Oman: Liwa Fort, a historic landmark". Times of Oman. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last= - ^ Team, FictionX (2018-03-06). "البوابة الإعلامية -وزارة الإعلام - سلطنة عمان". البوابة الإعلامية -وزارة الإعلام - سلطنة عمان (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2025-04-19. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ http://bitwize.com.lb, Bitwize-. "Oman tourism: Find out why this historic landmark by the sea in Liwa is loved by visitors". Times of Oman. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last=