Rustaq Fort

Rustaq was the capital of Oman under the Yaruba imams in the seventeenth century and earlier under the Nabhani, and its fort reflects that standing: a large structure on three levels with four towers, the tallest of them over eighteen metres high, enclosing a mosque, prison, armoury, storerooms and a well. It is built over a falaj channel fed by a hot spring, which supplied the garrison and is the reason for the site. Parts date to the pre-Islamic period by tradition, with the bulk from the Yaruba era. The fort was closed for a long restoration and reopened with displays. The Ain al-Kasfah hot springs and the Rustaq souq are nearby.

History

The name comes from Middle Iranian rōstāg, "district", and under the Sasanians a Persian governor was based here. The castle was first built on Persian ruins around 1250 and rebuilt by the first Ya'aruba imams between 1624 and 1649, when Rustaq was the capital of Oman under Imam Nasir bin Murshid; Imam Saif bin Sultan, who built two of its four towers, is buried in its western corner (Wikipedia, Rustaq).

Highlights

• The Red Tower - over sixteen metres high and nine and a half metres across.
• The internal buildings - mosque, prison, armoury and storerooms.
• The falaj channel - the spring-fed water course running under the fort.
• The tower views - the oasis and the Hajar foothills from the top.

When to go

October to April; summer here is severe. Mornings are cooler for climbing the towers. Opening hours are daytime with restricted Friday access.

Good to know

Restoration has been extensive and much of what is seen is rebuilt. Interpretation is modest. The tower stairs are steep and narrow. Rustaq town itself has limited facilities for visitors.

Nearby

Al Hazm castle lies northwest; Nakhal is east.