Al Sharq Castle

Al Sharq Castle, also often spelled as Sharj or Shariq, lies in the neighborhood of the same name in the town of Bidiya, in the Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate in Oman.

It is said that the castle was built in the 16th century by the brothers Sheikh Saeed and Sheikh Masoud, sons of Habesa from the house of Sarha's sons of Fakhida Al-Mahada.

Apparently, it was built over a falaj (a man-made underground water channel). The castle has a rectangular ground plan. It is made up of 2 separate enclosures, which are more or less square shaped. Looking at it, I suspect that the southern enclosure was added to the castle at a later date.

Al Sharq Castle is freely accessible. This is a nice ruin with several spaces to explore. Be careful, though, because it is crumbling away. Also, one of the roofless rooms is inhabited by an owl who doesn't enjoy visitors.

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