Bidbid is a small town with a population of around 20,000 and is located about 40 kms from Muscat International Airport as you drive towards Nizwa. Bidbid Fort is the only thing to see in this small town (no disrespect intended to any of you reading who happen to be from Bidbid! 🙂 ) and some would argue that it’s not even worth getting off the main road. As someone who enjoys exploring, I’d disagree. If you get lost looking for this place like I did, remember that the easiest way to find a fort (especially one this small) is to keep your eye out for an Omani flag! 🙂 Here’s a map to give you an idea of where it is.
The main entrance to Bidbid Fort was closed and locked. This was at 10am on a weekday (Monday). The Ministry of Tourism should ensure that such tourist sites are open at their scheduled times. This has happened to me on several occasions…
Cannon from the 17th or 18th century still standing guard over the fort. Notice the local Omani lady working away on the left side of the photo (pulling weeds I think).
The walls of Bidbid Fort are around 100 feet (or 30 metres) tall. There are a total of 3 towers; the large one you see here and the 2 smaller, more rounded Western towers in the back.
“Forty towers once defended this area and many still stand, the most famous of which are Fanja Tower and Bidbid Fort.” (from “Concise Guide to the Dhakiliya”, Ministry of Tourism Guide) The GPS co-ordinates of Bidbid Fort are: N23″24’45 E58″07’35 (from Jerzy Wierzbicki’s great Photography/write-up on Bidbid Fort in Y Magazine’s Dec 13th Edition, 2011 on page 32)
Andy in Oman 