Bahla Fort


World Heritage Identification Number: 433

World Heritage since: 1987

Category: Cultural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: No

Country: 🇴🇲 Oman

Continent: Asia

UNESCO World Region: Arab States

Map

Bahla Fort: A Remarkable Example of Ancient Omani Fortification

The Bahla Fort, located in the heart of Oman, stands as a testament to the rich history and architectural prowess of the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the region. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the fort is one of four historic fortresses nestled at the base of the Jebel Akhdar highlands.

More to come…

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The oasis of Bahla owes its prosperity to the Banu Nebhan, the dominant tribe in the area from the 12th to the end of the 15th century. The ruins of the immense fort, with its walls and towers of unbaked brick and its stone foundations, is a remarkable example of this type of fortification and attests to the power of the Banu Nebhan.

Encyclopedia Record: Bahla Fort

Bahla Fort is one of four historic fortresses situated at the foot of the Jebel Akhdar highlands in Oman and was the country's first UNESCO-listed fort added in 1987.

Read more on Wikipedia

Additional Site Details

Area: Not available

UNESCO Criteria: (iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape

Coordinates: 22.96417 , 57.30111

Image

Image of Bahla Fort

© Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0 Resized from original.

About World Heritage Explorer

World Heritage Explorer is an independent educational project designed to uncover and share the richness of our world’s cultural and natural heritage. Dive into detailed site profiles, immersive imagery, interactive maps, and tools that help you explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe. Drawing extensively on open data sources, the project delivers authoritative, well-structured information for learners, educators, travelers, and younger explorers alike.

Learn more

Nearby World Heritage Sites

Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman
24 km — Oman
Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn
66 km — Oman
Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)
196 km — United Arab Emirates
Ancient City of Qalhat
215 km — Oman
Faya Palaeolandscape
280 km — United Arab Emirates

Country Information: Oman

Flag of Oman

Official Name: Sultanate of Oman

Capital: Muscat

Continent: Asia

Population (2024): 5,281,538

Population (2023): 5,049,269

Population (2022): 4,730,226

Land Area: 309,500 sq km

Currency: Omani rial (OMR)

Country Data Sources

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Portions of the page Bahla Fort are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Bahla Fort, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

Open Data for an Open World