Al Ayjah Castle

Al Ayjah Castle, sometimes also called Al Hamouda Castle, lies in the Al Ayjah neighborhood of the city of Sur, in the Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate in Oman.

Sur's ideal location; situated around a small bay, which forms a natural harbor, and a large lagoon, fed by 2 creeks, made it an established center for maritime trade with East Africa already in the 6th century. In the 16th century it came under Portuguese rule, during which it declined as the Portuguese favored Muscat. This lasted until the early mid-17th century, when the Portuguese were expelled by Imam Nasir ibn Murshid. After that, the town was economically revived and again became a center for maritime trade with India and East Africa. It also became famous for its shipyards producing dhows.

All this activity needed to be protected, so Sur was fortified with a defensive network that originally included 5 castles and multiple watchtowers, which all are said to date back to the 17th century. So some may originally be Portuguese fortifications modified by the Omanis.

Al Ayjah Castle was built east of the bay by Sheikh Rashid bin Salem Al Hamouda. I could not find any more history specifically pertaining to this castle.

It has a square ground plan with rectangular towers at 3 of its corners. It actually has 2 entrances; a gate through a gate building in the east wall and, what looks like, a sally port in a tower in the north wall. The castle now sits in a square surrounded by merchant houses.

The castle was aided in its defense of the east side of Sur by multiple watchtowers and a coastal battery.

Al Ayjah Castle apparently is sometimes open for visits. It was closed when I came by, however, and I could not find any info about opening times. With all these fortifications; besides this one also Bilad Sur Castle, Sunaysilah Castle and Harat Al Aqbah Tower, in one city, Sur was a very nice destination.

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