20 February 2007
MUSCAT -- The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has announced the release of a second booklet on the forts and castles of Oman. Following publication in September 2005 of Country Castles of Oman which featured three castles, Jabrin, Al Hazm and An Noman, the new booklet presents four forts -- Bahla, Nizwa, Nakhal and Al Falaj. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will launch the new booklet, Strongholds of Heritage on February 24.
The booklet was researched and written by Dr Patricia Groves, and translated into Arabic by Ahmed al Mukhaini, with photography by Jaap Croese all members of the Board of the Historical Association of Oman. Strongholds of Heritage introduces the forts by differentiating them from castles and explaining how Oman's systems of forts, castles and watchtowers are positioned as a logistical system of defence. The materials used in the construction of forts are described along with characteristic design features and the evolution of fort architecture over time in response to advances in the technology of warfare.
Each major fortification holds a unique individual history; and together they are a key to the story of Oman from ancient times until the 19th Century. The four quite different forts featured in Strongholds of Heritage were selected to provide an overview of the history and character of these bastions of the past and the role they currently play in the perpetuation of Oman's rich culture and heritage. This miniature book, intended for both tourists and residents who visit the forts, is of a very high standard, bringing the forts to life with a vivid text and memorable photography.
Stronghold of Heritage gives historical details of each fort and describes their outstanding features. It also contains practical information on how to locate the forts. As a souvenir, the booklet is a small treasure which will be available to visitors free of charge to take home with them; and thus will be carried to countries around the world. The Ambassador of the Netherlands, Annelies Boogaerdt, will present copies of the booklet to the Ministry of Tourism for distribution at Nizwa and Nakhal forts; to the Ministry of Heritage and Culture at Bahla Fort; and to the Ministry of Defence for Bait Al Falaj. It is expected that Strongholds of Heritage, by informing the visiting public about the history of the four different forts and their significance, will help promote tourism in this important area of Oman's cultural heritage.
MUSCAT -- The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has announced the release of a second booklet on the forts and castles of Oman. Following publication in September 2005 of Country Castles of Oman which featured three castles, Jabrin, Al Hazm and An Noman, the new booklet presents four forts -- Bahla, Nizwa, Nakhal and Al Falaj. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will launch the new booklet, Strongholds of Heritage on February 24.
The booklet was researched and written by Dr Patricia Groves, and translated into Arabic by Ahmed al Mukhaini, with photography by Jaap Croese all members of the Board of the Historical Association of Oman. Strongholds of Heritage introduces the forts by differentiating them from castles and explaining how Oman's systems of forts, castles and watchtowers are positioned as a logistical system of defence. The materials used in the construction of forts are described along with characteristic design features and the evolution of fort architecture over time in response to advances in the technology of warfare.
Each major fortification holds a unique individual history; and together they are a key to the story of Oman from ancient times until the 19th Century. The four quite different forts featured in Strongholds of Heritage were selected to provide an overview of the history and character of these bastions of the past and the role they currently play in the perpetuation of Oman's rich culture and heritage. This miniature book, intended for both tourists and residents who visit the forts, is of a very high standard, bringing the forts to life with a vivid text and memorable photography.
Stronghold of Heritage gives historical details of each fort and describes their outstanding features. It also contains practical information on how to locate the forts. As a souvenir, the booklet is a small treasure which will be available to visitors free of charge to take home with them; and thus will be carried to countries around the world. The Ambassador of the Netherlands, Annelies Boogaerdt, will present copies of the booklet to the Ministry of Tourism for distribution at Nizwa and Nakhal forts; to the Ministry of Heritage and Culture at Bahla Fort; and to the Ministry of Defence for Bait Al Falaj. It is expected that Strongholds of Heritage, by informing the visiting public about the history of the four different forts and their significance, will help promote tourism in this important area of Oman's cultural heritage.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2007
