Bahla

The first-ever Omani town to be declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bahla is a small Oasis settlement situated in the Dakhliya region of Oman. Although the settlement is constituted of traditional vernacular houses, the fortification wall, a market, the Falaj system and a mosque, it is most popular for the Bahla fort. It is one of the oldest forts in Oman tracing back to the 13th century. The small town is also popular for its pottery and silver artefacts sold in the old souq. Bahla has been an interesting part of many Arabic legends. It is a popular belief that Bahla was where the birth of Jinn (black magic) took place. Bahla is a fine example of a fortified oasis settlement of the medieval Islamic period. It’s a representation of a defensive architectural ensemble that enabled dominant tribes to achieve prosperity in the desert during medieval times. A spectacular view of the entire oasis settlement with palm groves can be caught from the Western side, near the Jabrin entrance. There is also a weekly sale of cattle happening at the old souq where everyone from the town gathers to sell their cattle.