Sur Al Uqdah Fort

Sur Al Uqdah Fort, sometimes also called Al Mawalik Fort, lies in the village of Murayjat in the Al Batinah South Governorate in Oman.

I know absolutely nothing about the history of Sur Al Uqdah Fort, other than that it was built by the Al Maliki tribe. If you know more, 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.

The remains of this sur indicate that it was surrounded by either a secondary wall or moat. The south corner tower and the gate building with its angled entry are relatively well preserved, the rest of the fort has almost disappeared.

The ruin of Sur Al Uqdah Fort is freely accessible. I like the 2 remaining towers.

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