Restored Al Khabourah Castle ready for tourists

The Al Khabourah Castle, one of the top tourist destinations in the Sultanate, is ready to receive visitors again.

The restoration and rehabilitation of the castle, located little less than 2 km from the main centre of Suhar and close to the Sea of Oman, has been completed under the care of Ministry of Heritage and Culture.

The renovation has included restoration of a collapsed wall, apart from the maintenance of the castle’s rooms, entrances and towers, and electrification and other public facilities.

Naturally available materials such as mud and stones have been used for restoration aimed at preserving the fort for posterity and positioning it as a tourist destination.

The Al Khabourah Castle was earlier restored in 1994. The restoration work included cleaning inside and around the castle, transporting debris and removing the collapsed buildings and roofs.

It also included strengthening the foundation of the monument from inside and outside, peeling off the concrete plaster from walls inside and outside and retaining old plaster to preserve its archaeological character.

The restoration walls of the same dimension as earlier using gravel and mud, and rebuilding the roof using canadel, bamboo and mirenth wood.

It also included provision of electrical connections both outside and inside, and paving the inner squares of the castle with stones. Doors and windows bear exact resemblance to the original ones.

According to Amer al Balushi from the ministry, Al Khabourah Castle was a “legal court and not a war site” as some people think.

The castle has a courtyard at the centre. The main entrance is located on the northern side, with two artillery shells beside it.