Bayt Ar Rudaydah Castle was constructed by Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al Ya’rubi, a ruler of Oman who died in 1680 AD.
It’s a typical fortified mansion in Oman, with the main building having an open central courtyard for light and air and two Cannon towers on opposing corners of the building.
This castle guards the entrance up to Al Jabal Al Akhdar mountains and protects water system of Falaj Al Khatmeen which irrigates the date oasis of Birkat Al Mawz town (variously Birkat Al Mouz / Moz) .
Today the castle has become a museum for the weapons collection of Dr Christopher Roads who has spent many years designing a museum to display his pieces.
The museum is housed in the principal building which has been restored, having been destroyed during the 1950s.
The collection includes small arms, such as pistols, with innovative displays in the form of bullet shaped showcases under the cylinder of a revolver.
Other collections include rifles, most especially Martini–Henry design (whether original or copied) which became the typical gun in Oman and much of Arabia and the Indian-Subcontinent. In the north-east tower is a Cannon, set up to show how they would be secured for protecting against recoil.
A visit to this and Birkat Al Mawz will make a great inclusion to any visit up to Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
The castle is open from 09:00-16:00 Wednesday-Sunday with the entrance for non-Omanis Rial Oman7/- .
My book ‘Walking Through History‘ looks at Birkat Al Mawz’s Falaj and Oman’s UNESCO sites – Bahla, Bat & Al Ayn, Land of Frankincense, Aflaj Systems.
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