Рустақ: Оманның тарихы мен географиясы

Rustaq (ٱلرُّسْتَاق) is a town and Wilayah (District) in Al Batinah Region of northern Oman. The wilayah is in the Western Hajar Mountains, in the south of the Batinah. Rustaq was once the capital of Oman, during the era of Imam Nasir bin Murshid al Ya'arubi.

Rustaq is governed today by its own administration, and is represented by officials in offices affiliated with the province. These include the offices of Al Hawqayn (in the northern part of the province) and Wadi Bani Hani (in the western part of the province). Additionally, the province has two representatives in the Omani Shura Council, who are nominated by the province's residents during the Shura Council elections in the country. There are also two applied programs: the International Business Management program, which started in the academic year 2008/2009, and the Information Technology program, which began in the academic year 2009/2010. Both programs offer four specializations that students can choose from after completing their second year. In the International Business Management program, the specializations include International Business Management, Accounting, Tourism, and Hospitality. For the Information Technology program, the specializations include Software Development, Information Technology Security, Computer Networks, and Data Management.

The name of this town is a derived from the Middle Iranian rōstāg, meaning "district" (also in Baluchi, Persian, Kumzari, etc. ), New Iranian rusta, meaning a 'large village.' The term is a cognate to other Indo European tongues such as Latin, where 'rustica', means the same thing (whence the source for the English term, 'rustic').

Rustaq is located amidst the Hajar Mountains, and they surround the city from all directions except the northern side. This northern side is the direction from which the city opens up to the coastal regions in the area of Al Batinah (including Al Musannah and Al Suwayq), which is the most active and important vital passage in the region. It is also considered a link connecting the city to the Omani capital, Muscat, which is only 160 km away. Rustaq is also distinguished by its rocky and sandy desert environment in the northeastern direction.

During the days of the Sasanian Empire, Al Rustaq had a Persian marzban (military governor), whom Sasanians in the area would report to. Dibba and Tuwwam, which Oman today shares with the U. A. E., were taxed by Al Julanda, who were clients of the Sasanians. There are also historical mosques in Rustaq, including Al Bayada Mosque, the Basra Mosque, and the Qasra Mosque.

Rustaq Fort, built four centuries prior to the 7th century C. E., is an imposing structure built on three levels, containing separate houses, an armoury, a mosque and four towers. The tallest tower stands over high, and has a diameter of
The ar (قَلْعَة ٱلرُّسْتَاق) is located on the slopes of the Green Mountain at the edge of the Batinah plain in the Rustaq province of South Al Batinah Governorate. The castle was initially built on Persian ruins around the year 1250 AD, but the impressive current structure was rebuilt by the first Imams of the dynasty of Ya'Aruba during the period from 1624 to 1649 AD. It consists of two main floors in addition to the ground floor, featuring residences, weapon storage rooms, reception rooms, gates, a mosque, prisons, wells, and other facilities. In Rustaq Castle, there are four towers that were constructed in the years 1477 and 1906. The first one is the "Red Tower," which stands at a height of over 16 meters and has a diameter of nine and a half meters. The second tower is the "Wind Tower," built by Imam Saif bin Sultan Al Ya'arubi, whose tomb is located in the western corner of the castle. The "Wind Tower" reaches a height of 12 meters and has a diameter of 12 meters as well, with a hundred decorative triangles surrounding its walls. The third tower is the "Devils Tower," also built by Imam Saif bin Sultan Al Ya'arubi, and is nicknamed the "Underground Tower." It has a height of 18 and a half meters and a diameter of about six meters, with five decorative triangles encircling its walls. The fourth tower is the "Modern Tower," constructed during the reign of Imam Ahmed bin Said. It stands at a height of 11 and a half meters and is adorned with eighty decorative triangles. Within Rustaq Castle, there are ten cannons. Four of them are in the Modern Tower, three in the Wind Tower, and the remaining three at the lower section of the castle. The castle is also equipped with four gates: Ya'Aruba Gate, Al A'la Gate, Central Gate, and Sarhah Gate. Castle dimensions: Length 60 meters, Width 45 meters, Total area: 2700 square meters.

Al Hazm Castle is an outstanding example of Omani Islamic architecture and was built in 1711 AD. The fort's roof is built on columns, and contains no wooden supports. Its walls, at no less than thick at any point, can withstand great impact. It is located in the Rustaq province of South Al Batinah Governorate and features a military stronghold that is among the traditional Omani defense landmarks. It includes prominent elements such as the massive wooden gate, secret escape tunnels, fortified towers, and upper level gunports. There are also openings at the entrance used for pouring boiling oil or date honey on charging attackers. It is also considered one of the most exquisite examples of Omani Islamic architectural treasures. It was built by Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Sultan Al Ya'arubi in the year 1711 CE. The fort stands out for its absence of wooden roofs, instead utilizing fixed round contracts resembling cylinders. The wall width is three meters, and the fort features several massive gates that do not meet in a single passage. The fort houses various historical Portuguese and Spanish cannons with a firing range of up to 70 kilometers. It boasts specialized horse ascent staircases to the upper parts of the fort, along with secret passageways, each two meters wide and two meters high, dispersed in all four directions of the fort, leading out to the city. In the Hazm Fort, there are several rooms used for teaching the Quran, sciences, and religious knowledge. The fort is crossed by the Hazm Falaj, serving residents and visitors of the fort. The total area of the fort is 1600 square meters.

Among the tourist attractions in Rustaq are the "Ayun Al Mas" (Diamond Eyes) hot springs, such as Al Khor, Al Hwayt, Al Khadra, Al Zurqa, and Ain Al Kusfa, where the water temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius. There are also the Shalat Al Hawqeen hot springs. The area also features various falaj systems, including Falaj Al Hamam, Falaj Al Maysar, and Falaj Abu Tha'lab. Rustaq is home to numerous archaeological sites, including forts, castles, and towers. Rustaq Castle dates back four centuries before Islam and comprises four towers and two floors. It ranks as the second largest castle in Oman after Bahla Castle. Other notable structures include Al Hawqeen Fort and Al Hazm Fort, a masterpiece of Omani Islamic architecture. Rustaq boasts over 22 towers and several ancient alleys like Al Ghashb, Ayni, Jammah, Qusuri, and Al Mahadir. The area is adorned with unique old mosques and prayer halls, such as Al 'Ulayyah Mosque and Al Bia'dah Mosque located within Rustaq Castle, along with Qasri Mosque.

The Rustaq sports complex is the principal sports venue of the city, with a football stadium, indoor stadium, and swimming pool.