MUSCAT: Khasab Fort is one of the most prominent historical and heritage landmarks in Musandam Governorate, standing as a living witness to its deep-rooted history, strategic importance, and the transformations and events the region has experienced across different historical periods, while embodying aspects of its cultural identity and authentic Omani heritage.
Khasab Fort’s status as a historical, cultural and tourist destination is reflected in the number of visitors it attracts.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, based on the latest recorded data for 2025, the fort received around 6,305 visitors by the end of October 2025, before it was temporarily closed for restoration and development works aimed at preserving its historical value and enhancing its museum facilities. It is scheduled to reopen during the first half of 2027, further strengthening its role in preserving heritage, introducing visitors to Musandam’s history and cultural legacy, and reinforcing its identity for future generations.
Khasab Fort’s status as a historical, cultural and tourist destination is reflected in the number of visitors it attracts. According to statistics from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, based on the latest recorded data for 2025, the fort received around 6,305 visitors by the end of October 2025, before it was temporarily closed for restoration and development works aimed at preserving its historical value and enhancing its museum facilities. It is scheduled to reopen during the first half of 2027, further strengthening its role in preserving heritage, introducing visitors to Musandam’s history and cultural legacy, and reinforcing its identity for future generations.
SYMBOL OF CULTURAL IDENTITY
Nawfal bin Mohammed al Kamzari, Assistant Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in Musandam Governorate, explained that Khasab Fort is one of the governorate’s most important historical landmarks due to its connection to the region’s history and its strategic role at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that the fort has passed through several historical periods that reflected Musandam’s importance and position in Omani history.
Al Kamzari noted that Khasab Fort is a historical landmark and one of the most prominent cultural symbols embodying the identity of Musandam Governorate, with its links to the region’s maritime and commercial history and traditional social life. He stressed that the fort holds a special place in the memory of the local community as a witness to the various historical periods through which the governorate has passed.
He explained that the fort has received considerable attention as part of efforts to preserve the national heritage. It was restored in the early 1990s, before being restored and developed again in 2006 and transformed into an integrated museum housing a range of heritage and cultural elements from Musandam Governorate, including traditional artefacts, handicrafts, maritime tools and traditional clothing that document aspects of local life across generations. He stressed that this role has helped strengthen the fort’s position as a cultural and tourist centre reflecting the governorate’s authenticity and heritage.
He said that the number of visitors to the fort, which exceeded 6,000 by the end of October 2025 before its closure for restoration and maintenance works, reflects its continued importance as one of the governorate’s prominent historical and tourist landmarks. This is due to its historical and cultural value, its location associated with the region’s history and strategic position on the Strait of Hormuz, and the museum it houses, which showcases aspects of Musandam Governorate’s cultural heritage and traditions.
He added that visiting the fort enables visitors to learn about the governorate’s history, customs, traditions, maritime crafts and handicrafts, making it an attractive destination for tourists, researchers and those interested in Omani heritage. Its location in Khasab and proximity to several natural tourist attractions further enhance its role in supporting cultural tourism, introducing visitors to the governorate’s civilisational heritage, reinforcing national identity and safeguarding its historical legacy for future generations.
Regarding the fort’s most prominent architectural and historical elements, Al Kamzari explained that Khasab Fort is distinguished by its fortified walls and defensive towers, which reflect the historical importance of the region, in addition to the central tower, one of its most prominent architectural features.
He noted that the fort houses a number of heritage exhibits documenting the lives, customs and traditions of the people of Musandam across generations, alongside distinctive examples of Omani architecture, most notably Bait Al Qufl and the Suspended Arish House, which reflect the traditional building techniques for which the governorate is known.
He added that the fort holds within its walls many historical stories associated with the different periods Musandam has experienced, making it a living witness to the region’s history and rich heritage and giving visitors an opportunity to discover aspects of the lives of the governorate’s inhabitants during different historical periods.
He added that converting the fort into a permanent museum contributed to documenting the history and heritage of Musandam Governorate through displays of archaeological artefacts, traditional crafts, customs and folk arts, alongside the creation of models depicting aspects of traditional life in the governorate.
He affirmed that the new restoration and rehabilitation works currently under way at the fort form part of ongoing efforts to preserve this historical landmark and safeguard its architectural and heritage value, ensuring that it remains a witness to Musandam’s history and civilisational legacy for future generations.
ENHANCING CULTURAL TOURISM
He pointed to the potential for Khasab Fort to play a greater role in enhancing cultural tourism and promoting Omani heritage in Musandam Governorate through the organisation of heritage and cultural events reflecting the governorate’s history, customs and traditions, including folk performances, handicraft exhibitions and traditional markets.
He explained that the fort can receive visitors and tourists through guided tours explaining its history, collections and architectural components, in addition to hosting school and university students and organising educational programmes and workshops that contribute to strengthening awareness of national heritage among younger generations.
He added that holding exhibitions, seminars and cultural activities at the fort would contribute to highlighting Omani identity, introducing visitors to the rich cultural heritage of Musandam Governorate, and strengthening the fort’s position as a prominent tourist and cultural destination.
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