Mirbat Castle

Mirbat Castle is one of the most prominent historical landmarks in Dhofar Governorate. It occupies a strategic location on the eastern coast of the city of Mirbat, overlooking the old seaport (al-Furda) and the traditional Mirbat market. This distinctive location made it, throughout the ages, a center of protection and surveillance, and a key to understanding the city’s maritime and commercial history. There is no precise evidence regarding the establishment of the original castle. However, the British writer Miles, in his book The Gulf, Its Countries and Tribes, mentioned after his visit to Mirbat in 1884 that there was a castle built near the castle of Mohammed bin Aqil Al-Saqqaf, which highlights the deep historical roots of the site. The castle was rebuilt during the reign of Sultan Said bin Taimur. It was designed in a rectangular shape with two main entrances and two defensive towers. The castle consists of two floors reflecting aspects of both military and administrative life. On the first floor are the servants’ room, the military security wing with soldiers’ quarters and an arms and ammunition storeroom, as well as the prison and kitchen. The second floor comprises four residential rooms, including a guest reception majlis, a rest room, a leisure room, and a private kitchen for the wali’s family. The southern entrance and the western gate overlooking the sea are considered the castle’s most notable access points. Mirbat Castle represents a unique architectural model of Omani military engineering, with its solid walls and integrated defensive layout. Its seaside location offers visitors panoramic views of the old port and traditional market, combining defensive importance in the past with cultural and touristic value in the present — affirming its place as one of Oman’s authentic heritage landmarks.