Al Hazm Castle, Historical fortification in Rustaq, Oman.
Al Hazm Castle is a rectangular stone fortress in Rustaq with two round defensive towers at the southern and eastern corners. The complex contains rooms for different purposes, from religious instruction to administration, all built with sturdy masonry.
Sultan bin Saif II began construction in 1708, creating a residence that combined military defenses with educational facilities. The fortress emerged during a period when Oman was building these kinds of integrated defensive and governing structures.
The fortress held religious classrooms, a mosque, and tombs of Yarubi imams, showing how spiritual and governing matters shared the same space. Visitors walking through the rooms can sense how education, prayer, and power operated together within these walls.
The fortress is open to visitors on most weekdays and offers enough space to explore the different sections. Wear comfortable shoes since the stone stairs and courtyards are uneven and require some climbing.
The fortress was built entirely without wooden materials in its ceiling structures, setting it apart from other Omani fortifications. This all-stone construction made the building especially resistant to fire and decay.
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