The Ministry of Heritage and Culture (MoHC) has announced a trial opening of Bahla Fort for the visitors for the first time in decades as part of the 42nd National Day celebrations.
One of the oldest, largest and the most famous of Oman's forts, the Bahla Fort built during 13th and 14th centuries, was on the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1988. As no restoration work had been done before 1987, the fort was in a critical stage until first restoration work began in 1988.
Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali al Lawati, director general of archeology and museums, said that the occasion coincides with the international celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 'Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage', signed in 1972.
"Moreover, the opening has marked the 25th anniversary since the inclusion of the fort on the UNESCO list. Also, it was the first location in the region to be put on that list," he said.
For the trial period, which started from November 22, visitors will be welcomed on Thursdays and Fridays. Timing on Thursdays will be from 8am to 4pm and 8am to 11am on Fridays.
Lawati said the restoration took a long time because of the large size and the need to maintain the original characteristics of the complex, which required joint international efforts.
He added that MoHC is in an advanced stage of cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism for the next stage of development at the fort. "The focus is on adopting a suitable mechanism to utilise the location for tourism purposes but without affecting the cultural value of the heritage site."
After restoring the fort, the ministry has now embarked on restoring the fort's souq. The souq is one of the several components of the protected site and is spread over 4,475sq m. It boasts of 163 shops, some of which are in good condition while others require considerable restoration and maintenance.
After restoring the fort, the ministry has now embarked on restoring the fort's souq. The souq is one of the several components of the protected site and is spread over 4,475sq m. It boasts of 163 shops, some of which are in good condition while others require considerable restoration and maintenance.
© Muscat Daily 2012
