Sunaysilah Castle

Sunaysilah Castle lies in the city of Sur, in the Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate in Oman.

Sur's ideal location; situated around a small bay, which forms a natural harbor, and a large lagoon, fed by 2 creeks, made it an established center for maritime trade with East Africa already in the 6th century. In the 16th century it came under Portuguese rule, during which it declined as the Portuguese favored Muscat. This lasted until the early mid-17th century, when the Portuguese were expelled by Imam Nasir ibn Murshid. After that, the town was economically revived and again became a center for maritime trade with India and East Africa. It also became famous for its shipyards producing dhows.

All this activity needed to be protected, so Sur was fortified with a defensive network that originally included 5 castles and multiple watchtowers, which all are said to date back to the 17th century. So some may originally be Portuguese fortifications modified by the Omanis.

Sunaysilah Castle was built upon a height on the west side of the lagoon. It has a square ground plan with round towers at 3 corners, a bastion at the remaining corner and a rectangular gate structure in its north wall. I could not find any history specifically pertaining to this castle. There are a couple of watchtowers, standing beneath it.

Sunaysilah Castle apparently is sometimes open for visits. It was closed when I came by, however, and I could not find any info about opening times. The castle seems to be used for cultural events. With all these fortifications; besides this one also Bilad Sur Castle, Al Ayjah Castle and Harat Al Aqbah Tower, in one city, Sur was a very nice destination.

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