Bahla ( ar, بهلا) is a town, located 40 km away from
Nizwa
Nizwa ( ar, نِزْوَى, Nizwā) is the largest city in Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Oman proper. Nizwa is about (1.5 hours) from Muscat. The population is estimated at around 72,000 people, including the two areas ...
, and about 200 km from Oman's capital
Muscat
Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was ...
which lies in the
Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate of
Oman
Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of ...
. It is notable as the home of one of the oldest fortresses in the country, the 13th century
Bahla Fort
Bahla Fort ( ar, قلعة بهلاء; transliterated: Qal'at Bahla') is one of four historic fortresses situated at the foot of the Jebel Akhdar highlands in Oman
Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سل ...
which is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
. The fortress and the town are enclosed by extensive remnants of a 12-km long fortified wall. Most buildings are constructed of traditional
mud brick
A mudbrick or mud-brick is an air-dried brick, made of a mixture of loam, mud, sand and water mixed with a binding material such as rice husks or straw. Mudbricks are known from 9000 BCE, though since 4000 BCE, bricks have also been f ...
, many of them are hundreds of years old.
A short distance beyond Bahla lies the
Castle of
Jabreen, a massive three-story structure built during
Al Ya'ruba dynasty in the mid of 17th century. The castle is an example of
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture comprises the architectural styles of buildings associated with Islam. It encompasses both secular and religious styles from the early history of Islam to the present day. The Islamic world encompasses a wide geographic ...
with wooden inscriptions and paintings on its ceilings.
Pottery in Bahla
Pottery in Bahla dates back to as early as 2500 BC. The clay used comes from the wadi (river bed). Men trample on this to make the clay pliable so it can be worked on. After the object is finished, it is placed in a kiln to be fired.
Pottery in Bahla by Mohammed AL-houmaimi
Retrieved 28/11/2016
Climate
Gallery
File:Bahla Fort in Oman 1.JPG
File:Bahla Fort in Oman 2.JPG
File:Bahla Fort in Oman 7.JPG
File:Bahla Fort in Oman 8.JPG
See also
* List of cities in Oman
This is a list of cities and towns in Oman.
*Adam, Oman, Adam
*Seeb, Oman, As Sib
*Al Ashkharah
*Al Buraimi
*Al Hamra, Oman, Al Hamra
*Al Jazer
*Blue City, Oman, Al Madina A'Zarqa, formerly known as Blue City
*Al Suwaiq
*Bahla
*Barka, Oman, B ...
References
External links
* https://web.archive.org/web/20051225161437/http://www.nizwa.net/heritage/wonderloop/wonderloop.html
Bahla Fort - A Virtual Experience
* http://www.omantripper.com/jabreen-castle/
* http://www.omantourism.gov.om/wps/portal/mot/tourism/oman/home/experiences/culture/castle/!ut/p/a1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOLN_Nx8AlxdDA38LQwNDDyDLXzNgoOdjQ0CTfSDU_P0C7IdFQElpcDA/
* https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/433
Populated places in Oman
Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate
World Heritage Sites in Oman
{{Oman-geo-stub
