Venture into the intriguing world of Arabian nights via the wondrous castles that stand as stout sentinels that protect and preserve Oman’s right cultural heritage. The Al Mintarib castle lures the curious tourist and plunges them into a maze of experiences filled with intrigue, mystery and defensive means both devious and ingenious. Luckily, your experience at an Oman hotel is far from being that stressful, especially if you check into one of the sumptuous Oman hotels in the city of Muscat, such as the Al Wadi Hotel Sohar. With a central location and majestic interiors, you’ll feel transported to the grandeur of famed castles awash with the conspiracy and the carefree romance of the Arabian Desert. Find refuge from the harsh Omani sun by exploring the cool interiors of Al Mintarib Castle. But be careful and watch your step in this well-defended fortress, as it is replete with a series of masterful defensive features that spelled instant death and dismemberment for any foe who ventured within the castle. Right as you enter the impressive and aged threshold, look up and you’ll see a “murder hole”, installed above carefully-planned staircases. Any unwelcome invaders were burned to death under a boiling deluge of oil or date honey, a sticky situation of unbelievable proportions. Keep trekking down the corridors and you will stumble upon “pitfalls” that are glass covered holes that fall away into oblivion, another ingenious feature of the castle. Such unique features reflect the decorated heritage of this splendid nation and much vested interest in its cultural legacy has prompted the government to restore Al Mintarib Castle along with 21 other forts and castles to stand as stalwart monuments of Oman’s history. The entry fee is exceptionally low (around USD 1.25), primarily to foster interest amongst the Omanis, and it is well worth a visit during your time in the country.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
