AL-JALALI AND AL-MIRANI FORTS IN MUSCAT The forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani are the capital's most prominent landmarks and were built in the 16th century AD. The Portuguese completed their construction of Jalali Fort in 1587. Its present-day form dates from the reign of Sayyid Said bin Sultan, and this Fort was restored and converted into a museum in the reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. |
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IMAGE COLLECTION Sulaiman Riyami, 2007 (Panoramio) Elitsa Lozanova, 2008 (Trekearth) Robert Tyabji, 2007 (Flickr) Anne Elliott, 2007 (Flickr)
(Google Images) |
SOURCES OF INFORMATION Originally built by Portuguese occupying forces in the early part of the 16th century, Al Jalali Fort went through a series of transformations in design and fortification. According to published accounts, the original structure was just a functional fortification built into the side of the outcrop on which it currently stands. It was hastily built partly because of persistent threats from Persian naval forces seeking to dislodge the Portuguese from their stronghold in Muscat. More... O Forte de Al-Jalali (primitivamente Forte de São João) localiza-se em Mascate, capital do Sultanato de Omã. Considerado uma das melhores atrações histórico-turísticas de Omã, ergue-se em posição dominante sobre a baía de Mascate, e tinha como função o complemento da defesa daquele porto e cidade comercial, envolvidos pela Fortaleza de Mascate. A leste do Forte de Al-Mirani, que lhe é fronteiro em outra escarpa rochosa, os chamados "fortes gêmeos" serviram como baluartes contra as armadas invasoras, cooperando com o Forte de Matrah e uma série de torres de vigia tornavam Mascate uma verdadeira praça-forte, praticamente inexpugnável. More... Jalali and Mirani, which are among Oman's most famous forts stand at the entrance to Muscat bay. Mirani, which was built before the arrival of the Portuguese, was originally shaped like a tower. Then in 1588 the Portuguese rebuilt it on the ruins of its old structure, adding emplacements, stores, living quarters for the commander and a place of worship. More... Where the United Arab Emirates has slick skyscrapers and über-modern malls, in Oman's capital, Muscat, and its port town Matrah, the whitewashed houses and labyrinthine souks—a distinct hybrid of European and Islamic architecture—speak of the country's previous occupation by both the Portuguese and the Persians. More... As Maravilhas de Portugal no Mundo - Fortalezas de Jalali e Mirani, Omã @ RTP 2009 More... |
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