Al Faiqain Castle

Al Faiqain Castle, sometimes also spelled as Fiqayn or Faiqeen, lies in the town of Manah in the Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate in Oman.

Al Faiqain Castle was built in 1617, according to an inscription found in the castle.  It was cared for by several imams during history, as was mentioned in documents from 1914.

The castle stands amidst the old village center of abandoned and ruined mudbrick houses and next to a falaj. Its slender appearance makes it stand out amongst the other fortifications of Oman. The tallest turret actually serves as a windcatcher. It has 4 floors. An entrance door at ground level was only found during a first restoration in the 1990s. Up until then, one had to climb a rope to an entrance at the 2nd floor level to get in. A second restoration followed in 2008.

Al Faiqain Castle is said to be open for visitors, but I found it closed, sadly enough. I was curious about the interior of this tower-like castle. On the south side of town there is also Al Bilad Castle.

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