Oman is home to Bahla Fort, one of the country’s oldest and largest fortified complexes.
Bahla Fort stands beside the oasis town of Bahla in northern Oman, near the Jebel Akhdar mountains. Its walls, towers, gates, and associated settlement were built largely from mud brick and stone, materials suited to local building traditions and the dry climate.
The fort is strongly associated with the Banu Nebhan, a medieval dynasty that controlled parts of Oman. Construction and expansion took place over several periods, so the complex is not the product of a single building campaign. Its defenses protected an oasis and an important regional centre.
Bahla Fort is sometimes confused with Nizwa Fort, another celebrated Omani monument. Nizwa Fort is known for its massive circular tower, while Bahla is a sprawling fortified settlement with extensive surrounding walls. Bahla became Oman’s first UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.