The timber door
Carving and Arabic script.
Hans Birger Nilsen — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Hans Birger Nilsen — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Hans Birger Nilsen — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Gonzo Gooner — CC BY 3.0 · Hans Birger Nilsen — CC BY-SA 2.0
Al Hazm Castle is one of Oman's finest forts, a large rectangular stronghold in Rustaq built by Imam Sultan bin Saif II as his residence. From outside it looks plain and massive, but its passages and carved doors lead many visitors to rank it among the country's best. It went up in 1708 and held the imam's quarters, a prison, a mosque and classrooms for religious study. The imam died in 1718 and was buried inside. The site was submitted to UNESCO's tentative list in 1988 and later underwent restoration. The castle is rectangular, with two big round towers guarding its southern and eastern corners. Its best known feature is the huge timber door, richly carved with ornament and Arabic script. Inside are many corridors, a courtyard open through the roof, and rooms arranged to show old household tools and weapons. From the roof you see the oasis palms and the town around it. It is 18 km in a straight line from Rustaq Fort and 115 km from Old Muscat, so pair the two on a day trip by car. Allow plenty of time, as the corridors invite exploring, and one visitor reports audio guides. Summer is very hot, so go in the morning. Dress modestly, especially near the mosque and tomb.
Carving and Arabic script.
Guarding the corners.
Views over the oasis.
Al Hazm village, Rustaq, South Al Batinah
Imam Sultan bin Saif II in 1708, and he was buried here in 1718.
An hour to an hour and a half, as there are many corridors and rooms.