Jabrin Castle
Jabrin Castle
The Jabrin Castle is a residential fortress that was built in 1670 by Sultan bin Saif al-Ya'arubi. What visitors find on-site is more than just another fort or a small pre-Islamic fortress, like many can be found in Oman. The residential fortress of Jabrin can rightly be referred to as a castle. The old mud palace offers a whole range of interesting and unexpected sights and anecdotes about its builder and the people who once lived here.
Already special in its construction
Barely another fortress in Oman can showcase such precision and grace in the design of its decorations. The arabesques on the windows of the fortress look as if they have just sprung from a fairy tale of 1001 Nights. In this fortress, one can easily recognize the significant difference between the traditional old European construction style of such structures and the Arabic: it is the playful shapes and soft transitions that make these defensive structures so beautifully and timelessly elegant. This is also true for the curved arches, wooden galleries, and painted ceilings inside Jabrin Castle. The design of the stairs inside the castle is also interesting: the steps on the staircase to the first floor are remarkably flat. This is because these steps were also meant to be easily climbed by a horse. When the Sultan received guests here, he always had his finest horse presented in his reception hall, which was located on the first floor. This was how he wanted to impress his guests. On the second floor, one would have found the Quran school and the mosque of the fortress at that time. Some stairways inside Jabrin Castle are designed to symbolically guide visitors through the seven heavens of the Islamic faith.
Even today a real attraction
The kitchen on the ground floor was designed to easily serve the more than 300 residents of the castle. The complete restoration and elaborate renovation of the old fortress took until 1984, since then it has once again been shining in its former glory. For anyone who wants to dive into a good piece of Arab history for a few hours and gain an impression of how the rich and powerful lived in the Arab world in the 17th century, a visit to Jabrin Castle is definitely a must.
Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home
Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.
We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.
From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.
Experts for your Oman trip
You might also like this
Frankincense Oman
It is reported in traditions that camel caravans had to cover more than 100 days' marches to reach their destination Gaza after 3400 kilometers. Frankincense was considered a miraculous remedy of the gods during the times of the Roman Empire and was transported in tonnage. The high demand for frankincense in ritual practices was responsible for the prosperity of the route, as well as the cities and empires it connected, since the 5th century BC....
Oman’s Landscapes
Oman stands out with its incredible natural diversity, setting itself apart from many other Arab countries. Far from the stereotype of endless desert landscapes, Oman offers a surprising blend of majestic mountains, vast sand dunes, turquoise coastlines, and lush, fertile plains. Spanning over 309,500 square kilometers, the country boasts natural wonders from the towering peaks of the Hajar Mountains to the tropical regions of Dhofar in the south. Oman is especially captivating for independent travelers seeking unique encounters with nature. Northern gems like Jabal Shams, the expansive deser...
Women in Working Life
There is a quote by Sultan Qaboos, in which he says: 'Uneducated women cannot raise free children, and neglected women can never properly care for others. If women are not trained for their roles, they can contribute nothing to the progress of this country.' This shows that in Oman, women are viewed in a completely different light than in most other Arab or Islamic countries. A merit of the Sultan, who has gradually opened the country for Western values and views over the past almost five decades, without betraying the identity and beliefs of his country. He merely pointed out that women also...