Jalan Bani Bu Hassan Province

located in the Al Muhaywil area, is a historic defensive fortification built in the 9th century AD (3rd century AH) during the era of Imam Al Muhina bin Jafar. Over the years, numerous additions, renovations, and modifications were made, including during the 19th century AD (13th century AH) in the time of Sayyid Saeed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, and in 1991 AD during the reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.

The fort has walls that reach a height of approximately 5 meters and is roughly square in shape. It is constructed from stone and adobe, with a roof made of palm logs and palm fronds. The fort covers an area of 5000 square meters and has two main gates, a primary gate on its western wall and a secondary gate on its eastern wall. In the northwest corner of the fort is a tower known as the "Guardian of the Homes."

The fort also includes a spacious courtyard, alongside old structures, it has new facilities, including administrative offices and their associated facilities. These new additions are situated near the western wall of the fort to the right of the main gate. In its courtyards, there used to be facilities that have since disappeared, such as the judge's house and the school building, which were adjacent to the southern wall of the fort.

The main building is located in the northwest corner of the fort, and it is semi-circular in shape. Some of its units are rectangular. The building consists of two floors, with the first floor having a long corridor that leads to the main building through a large wooden door. The second floor contains various multi-purpose residential units, with walls that rise up to 12 meters, and some units on top of them. These units vary in size and shape according to their use. These units surround a circular paved courtyard with a diameter of 50 meters. The courtyard is divided into two parts by a wall with the main entrance to the larger part located inside to the right of the main courtyard.

The larger part is dedicated to the official aspects, including the governor's terrace, the room of confidential meetings, the guard's room, the reception hall for guests, the date storage area (Nadad), the mosque, and the defensive tower. The smaller part is situated inside the building, and it is reserved for family aspects, including the main governor's residential wing, which consists of four rooms and a bathroom, located in the eastern part of the building. It also includes the secondary governor's residential wing, consisting of two rooms and a bathroom, located on the second floor only because the first floor serves as the entrance.

The smaller part also houses the food storage area, a swimming pool, a laundry room, and a defensive tower. The fort was strategically chosen to provide water and food for its residents. Large agricultural lands are located behind the fort, and extensive wells were dug to secure water. Two of these wells are located in the external courtyard of the fort, and one is situated in the open area of the main building of the fort. These wells were equipped with pulleys and bathrooms.

The fort's windows and openings were designed to provide lighting and ventilation, evident in the terraces where the governor meets the people twice a day. Most of the main entrances are characterized by vaulted doorways adorned with geometric patterns. The doors themselves are adorned with various botanical designs. In the walls of the main building, there are architectural decorations made of gypsum, including square patterns painted in different colors.

The architectural beauty of the fort is particularly notable in its entrances and doors, with most main entrances featuring vaulted arches decorated with various geometric patterns, and the doors themselves rarely lack floral designs. The main building's walls feature geometric decorations, consisting of squares created with painted gypsum.

Jalan Bani Bu Hassan Fort stands as a testament to the region's rich history and architectural heritage.[5]