After visiting port, Lukashenko toured Sohar’s main attraction: fortress
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has visited the Sohar fortress (fort) after visiting the Sohar Port and Freezone, BelTA reports
The fortress is one of the key attractions of Sohar, located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The first fortification on this site dates back to the 13th century.
In 1507, the fort was captured by Portuguese. It was rebuilt several times, finally acquiring its present form in 1621. In 1643, Portuguese were finally expelled from Sohar, after which the fort became the residence of the local governor for a long time.
It now includes a museum, opened in 1993, which displays many archaeological and historical artefacts relating to Sohar and the history of Oman. A separate exhibition is devoted to the copper trade and its role in the development of Oman.
Next to the fortress is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which occupies an area of 17,000 square metres and can accommodate more than 2,000 worshippers at a time.
