Muscat – Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has completed restoration works on two historical towers in Murir village, in the wilayat of Shinas, as part of its ongoing efforts to preserve Oman’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The project, supervised by the ministry’s Department of Heritage and Tourism in North Batinah, focused on the conservation of the Al Murir and Al Muraba’a towers. Both structures are located in a region known for its historical significance and rich collection of archaeological sites.

Hassan bin Sulaiman al Jabri, Director of the department, confirmed that the restoration was conducted in collaboration with the local community, with the ministry providing essential building materials such as mortar and technical supervision.

Describing the restored landmarks, Jabri said the Al Muraba’a Tower is a square-shaped structure, measuring approximately 4.5m in length and 3.3m in width, and standing about 7m tall.

Located on an elevated hill and flanked by a flowing wadi to the south, the tower is built using mud and stones and features several access ramps and openings.

The Al Murir Tower, in contrast, is a circular structure made of mud and gravel, with a width of around 6m and a height of about 10m. It also contains a number of strategically positioned openings.

Shinas is home to 35 historic towers and several notable forts, including Shinas Castle, Khadrawin Fort, Ajib Fort, Al Aswad Fort, and Al Asrar Fort. Among them, the Al Murir Tower is distinguished by its location along the seashore, while Aswad Fort remains one of the area’s most prominent heritage sites.

The restoration project forms part of the ministry’s broader strategy to protect archaeological landmarks and promote public awareness of their historical and cultural value.

According to the ministry, such efforts are crucial to ensuring these structures remain accessible to future generations.