Upon arriving in Nizwa from Muscat, I wanted to cover the 2 more interesting attractions outside of town before finishing my day. Bahla was once the capital of Oman for almost 500 years, and 12km of its old walls are still intact today. This oasis was fueled by the falaj system of wells and underground channels to make groundwater accessible.
One of the reasons why I prefer these over the more convenient fort in Nizwa is the far more affordable admission of 500 baisas each, which can be paid by credit card.
Jabrin Castle
The next stop is just a short drive away to Jabrin Castle. It was initially built in the late 17th century as a home, which then became a religious retreat. Restoration was completed in 1983 with the rooms furnished as close to the original as possible. Located on a wide flat plain, this building is arranged around 2 courtyards, with several rooms having beautifully decorated ceilings.
After paying the admission fee, I entered into a courtyard with the castle's entrance straight ahead. There is no set visit path, and with many passageways, you are free to roam around and explore.
There is no set visit path, and with many passageways, you are free to roam around and explore.
The impressive furnished rooms are upstairs.
Notice the peeping hole between floors for security.
Dates were stored in their own dedicated room and were stockpiled in case of long sieges. The honey-like juice that was emitted flowed along the channels on the floor and were collected.
