Restoration work of Rustaq Fort to continue until 2027

Published: 10:08 AM,Aug 30,2025 | EDITED : 02:08 PM,Aug 30,2025

Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) continues with the comprehensive restoration of Rustaq Fort, one of the oldest and most important forts in the Sultanate of Oman, aimed at preserving this unique architectural heritage and highlighting its cultural value.
The project, which extends until November 2027, aims to enhance the fort as a cultural and tourist destination, contributing to supporting local content and attracting investments in heritage tourism. Rustaq Fort's walls bear a deep history, dating back to the pre-Islamic era and witnessing significant expansions during the reign of the Ya'aribi dynasty and Imam Ahmed bin Said al Busaidi. It was recently inscribed on the Islamic Heritage List in recognition of its cultural significance and distinguished architectural standing.

The project, implemented by the Ministry, extends until the end of 2027.
Restoration work began according to a multi-stage plan, most notably rebuilding cracked walls using traditional stones and materials, treating damaged exterior cladding with 'sarooj,' maintaining wooden and metal windows, and restoring historic towers, most notably the 'Devils' Tower,' which was reconstructed after a portion of it collapsed using traditional techniques identical to the original.

During this phase, engineering teams documented important architectural evidence, including traditional rammed-earth layers, leaving a portion of it exposed for scientific study and reference.

On the western façade, work has been completed, from cleaning surfaces and treating damaged layers to implementing a new cladding.
Architectural openings with historical significance have also been discovered and are currently under study.
On the interior façades and courtyards of the castle, work has been completed to clean surfaces, treat cracks, and implement the initial cladding layers. The final layers have been postponed until the electrical work is complete.
The re-roofing and reinforcement of 24 rooms and interior spaces have also been completed. Roofing work is underway on 25 more rooms.
Most of the four facades have been completed, while the discovered architectural remains have been preserved and documented.

Restoration of the outer wall is currently underway in cooperation with relevant authorities, a step that reinforces the castle's status as a prominent historical and cultural symbol.