Sur Towers

The Sur Towers stand in 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.

While visiting Sunaysilah Castle, I saw several watch towers in the surrounding area. The largest (tower A) stood within the boundaries of the castle area. The other 2, smaller ones (tower B and C) stood in residential areas. I suspect there are more similar watchtowers around Sur that I have missed. I highly doubt if the towers have their own names, so I just called them the Sur Towers.

The Sur Towers can freely be visited but not entered as their entrances are all a floor up. With all these fortifications; besides Sunaysilah Castle also Bilad Sur Castle, Al Ayjah Castle and Harat Al Aqbah Tower, in one city, Sur was a very nice destination.

Gallery

Tower A

Tower B

Tower C