Oman’s Ministry revives its past as historic towers are restored in Shinas

Muscat: The restored structures include the Murair Tower and the Al Murabaa Tower, both vital remnants of Oman’s architectural and historical identity.

The initiative is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s heritage and ensure that archaeological landmarks continue to stand as enduring symbols of Omani history.
Hassan bin Sulaiman Al Jabri, Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in North Al Batinah Governorate, highlighted the community’s role in the restoration. He said that the work on the Murair and Al Murabaa towers was completed through local efforts and under the Ministry’s supervision.

The Al Murabaa Tower, situated in the village of Marir Al-Matarish west of the coastal road, is a square-shaped structure measuring approximately 4.5 meters in length, 3.3 meters in width, and standing 7 meters tall. Built on elevated terrain using clay and stone, the tower features several ramps and openings, and is flanked by a watercourse to its south.

The Murair Tower, in contrast, stands on a coastal plot east of the same road, directly facing the Sea of Oman. This circular, upright tower is built from mud and gravel, and rises to a height of around 10 meters with a diameter of six meters. It too features multiple apertures and architectural details reflective of the region’s traditional building methods.

Wilayat Shinas is home to numerous historic sites, including Shinas Castle, Rasat Al-Milh Fort, and Khadrawin Fort, as well as more than 30 towers—among them the restored Murair and the nearby Black Tower. Many of these structures are in varying states of preservation, but all are vital to Oman’s historical narrative.