The Doors of Nizwa

I didn't capture nearly all of the interesting doors in Nizwa, but here are a few we did manage to get pictures of! I'll start off with the doors inside the main tower of the fort. The staircase to the top of the tower was a series of winding levels, each level having a door to block entrance to the next section. The staircases were used as part of the defensive weaponry of the tower.

This door is on the ground floor and is used to access a store room.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, there were shafts used to pour hot oil, water, or date syrup down upon their enemies as they tried to gain control of the tower. There were also false floors on either side of a door into which an unsuspecting enemy would fall as he rushed through the door. There were also spikes on the doors--if you wanted to slam a door in your enemy's face, or chest--to cause maximum damage!

This door is at the bottom of the stairs. It is thick and reinforced with bolts.

This door is at the top of the winding staircase. You can still see the elaborate carvings in the door's trim.

Same door as above, just another view!

These are very sharp spikes on the entrance side of the door.

Notice the Arabic script above the door.

The size of this door  at the entrance is deceptive.

This is actually off the side of the fort. It is an entrance to the souk.

Here I am standing next to it!
 

Another entrance door to the souk (or SOUQ, as it is spelled here), decorative
carvings not only on the frame but on the doors themselves and the center post!

And now for a few of the decorative doors found on our trek through, to and around the fort. Hope you enjoyed the trip through the fort!