Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bahla Fort
FORT
(
www.virtualbahla.com
;
admission 500 baisa; 9am-4pm Sat-Thu, 8-11am Fri)
A remarkable set of battle-
ments is noticeable at every turn in the road, running impressively along the wadi and
making Bahla one of the most comprehensive walled cities in the world. These walls ex-
tend for several kilometres and are said to have been designed 600 years ago by a woman.
Part and parcel of the battlements is the impressive 12th-century fort, built by the Bani
Nebhan tribe and one of the most extensive in Oman. After many years of restoration it
has finally opened to the public and has easily proved why it was granted Unesco World
Heritage Site status in 1987. As yet there are no interpretative panels or other tourist in-
formation but you can gain an idea of the purpose of each room by referring to the web-
site. A booklet is planned.
Bahla Potteries
CRAFT
( 8am-1pm & 4.30-6pm Sat-Thu)
All over Oman you'll spot terracotta pots with simple ribbed
decorations at the entrances to smart villas and hotels. The famous potteries where these
beloved vessels are made are humble in comparison, buried in the backstreets of Bahla.
To reach the potteries, follow the main road through the town centre towards the planta-
tions. After 500m you will come to a number of potteries; the traditional unglazed water
pots cost a couple of rials. A large 'Ali Baba' pot fetches around OR40. Beware, the
streets are very narrow here and it is easy to get a 4WD stuck. It's better to walk if you're
not planning to make a big purchase.
Old Souq
SOUQ
( 6-10am)
Bahla has a traditional souq with homemade ropes and
fadl
(large metal plat-
ters used for feeding the whole family) for sale, and a beautiful tree shading the tiny, cent-
ral courtyard. To find the souq, turn off Hwy 21, the main Nizwa-Ibri road, opposite the
fort; the souq entrance is 100m on the right.
Sleeping & Eating
Jibreen Hotel$
HOTEL
( 25 363340;
www.jibrenhotel.com
; s/d OR30/40; )
Conveniently situated on the main
Bahla-Ibri road by the Jabrin junction. With sky-blue
rondelles
in the ceiling, rag-rolled
walls, Egyptian gilt-edged furniture and luxurious drapes in the wi-fi equipped bedrooms,
Jibreen Hotel is often full. With no other accommodation nearby, it's worth calling ahead.
