Sur Al Billa Fort

Sur Al Billa Fort lies in the village of Billa in the Al Batinah South Governorate in Oman.

I know absolutely nothing about the history of Sur Al Billa Fort. If you know anything, please mail me.

The fort is one of the many aswar (plural of sur) on the Al Batinah coastal plain. A sur was a simple communal fortification. They were built, maintained and used as a place of refuge by the local tribe in times of danger. They mostly have a similar ground plan; a square with 2 round towers on diagonally opposite corners and a rectangular gate building, quite regularly in the northern wall. Some were also protected by a dry moat or an outer wall.

This fort had a square ground plan. Its walls have almost disappeared. The much ruined north tower is the best preserved part of the fort; better than the south tower or the gate building with its angled entry.

Sur Al Billa Fort is freely accessible. Situated behind a small mosque, the ruin of the gate building looked like it was used to dump building materials, sadly enough. Not a very interesting site.

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