Bait Na'aman Castle

Bait Na'aman Castle, sometimes also called Al Numan Castle, lies in the coastal city of the same name, in the Al Batinah South Governorate in Oman. Bait roughly translates back to 'house'.

Bait Na'aman Castle was built around 1691-92, probably by Imam Saif bin Sultan Al Ya’ruba. It is said that in this castle, Saif bin Sultan murdered his unpopular predecessor Badr bin Saif in 1806, with a single blow from his khanjar (a traditional dagger). Initially, the castle was used as a royal retreat and rest house for journeys between Muscat and Rustaq. A century later, Bait Na'aman was fortified by the Al bu Said dynasty.

The castle consists of a tower house with 2 round corner towers on opposite corners and 2 square ones on the other corners. The tower house stands in the corner of a small enclosure also equipped with 2 low round towers. It was restored in 1991.

At present Bait Na'aman Castle can be visited. Sadly enough, I visited it too late and it had already closed for the day. Too bad, it looks great.

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