Central tower
Older than the fort.
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A fort on the bay in Khasab, capital of the Musandam governorate, built by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century to control the region's sea trade, on the remains of an older castle. Inside stands a massive central tower thought to be older than the fort itself. Imam Nasir bin Murshid drove the Portuguese out of the town during his imamate (1624-1649), and Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'rubi later restored the fort; the Al Busaid sultans used it as a watchtower and a home for the governor's family. It was restored in 1990. The fort has low walls with firing parapets, three small cannons aimed at the sea at its main gate and doors of teak. It is now a museum, with traditional Musandam boats in the courtyard and old weapons, jewellery and household objects in its rooms. Check opening times and fees locally. It pairs easily with a boat trip into the Musandam fjords from the nearby Khasab harbour.
Older than the fort.
In the courtyard.
Facing the sea.
Khasab, on Khasab Bay, Musandam
The Portuguese in the seventeenth century, on the remains of an older castle; Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'rubi later restored it, and it was restored again in 1990.