Four forts and castles have been closed for maintenance purposes, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has announced.

Meanwhile, Royal Court Affairs has stated that four other heritage sites have been opened for the public after their closure following coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said Rustaq and Nakhl forts, and Al Hazm and Ras al Hadd castles were closed.

The ministry continues to restore and maintain castles and forts that are distinguished due to architectural diversity.

Royal Court Affairs said Muscat Gate Museum, Al Mansur Castle in the wilayat of Rustaq, Al Shomoukh Fort Library and the Entertainment Centre in Manah in Dakhliyah governorate are now open.

The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) stated that as many as 426,500 people visited forts and castles in Oman in 2019, registering an increase of 16.4 per cent on the previous year’s figures.

Of the total visitors, 251,080 were tourists from different countries according to statistics of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.

NCSI said in 2018, some 366,360 people visited forts and castles compared to 319,163 in 2017. It was an increase of 14.8 per cent.