Bahla

Bahla
Town

Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in restoration
Bahla

Location in Oman

Coordinates: 22°58′4.8″N 57°17′52.8″E / 22.968000°N 57.298000°E / 22.968000; 57.298000
Country  Oman
Region Ad Dakhiliyah Region
Time zone +4 (UTC+4)

Bahla (Arabic: بهلا‎‎) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site[1][1] town 40 km away from Nizwa and about 200 km from Oman's capital, Muscat in the Ad Dakhiliyah region of Oman. It is notable as the home of the oldest fortress in the country, the 13th century Bahla Fort, and also the town's pottery.[2]

The fortress and the town are enclosed by the extensive remnants of a 12-km long fortified wall. Most buildings are constructed of traditional mud brick, many of them are hundreds of years old. The site is undergoing UNESCO sponsored reconstruction.

A short distance beyond Bahla lies in the Castle of Jabreen, a massive three-story structure built during Al Ya'ruba dynasty in the mid of 17th century. The castle is a fine example of Islamic architecture with beautiful wooden inscriptions, and paintings on its ceilings.[3][4] Bahla is also famous for black magic.[5]

Pottery in Bahla

[1][1]Bahla pottery is famous throughout Oman although traditional methods of making it appear to be dying..[6] The clay used comes from the wadi (river bed). Men trample on this to make the clay pliable so it can be worked on. After the object is finished, it is placed in a kiln to be fired.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/433
  2. ↑ Thorpe, Annabelle (2009-08-29). "Take the high roads to find Oman's hidden treasures". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  3. ↑ http://www.omantripper.com/jabreen-castle/
  4. ↑ http://www.omantourism.gov.om/wps/portal/mot/tourism/oman/home/experiences/culture/castle/!ut/p/a1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOLN_Nx8AlxdDA38LQwNDDyDLXzNgoOdjQ0CTfSDU_P0C7IdFQElpcDA/
  5. ↑ "Bahla, Oman's magical oasis". Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Oman's dwindling heritage of pottery". Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  7. ↑ Pottery in Bahla by Mohammed AL-houmaimi Retrieved 28/11/2016
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bahla.

Coordinates: 22°58′05″N 57°17′53″E / 22.968°N 57.298°E / 22.968; 57.298


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