Taqah Castle was built in the 19th century. This makes it a relatively new castle in comparison to forts and castles found in the north of Oman, such as the forts in Nizwa, Bahla, and Nakhal, which are hundreds, if not thousands, years old. Taqah Castle is also different from other landmark castles in Oman in the fact that it used to be a private residence for a tribal leader, Sheikh Ali bin Taman Al Ma’shani – the grandfather of the mother of Sultan Qaboos. Taqah Castle became the property of the government in the first half of the 20th century during the times of Sultan Said bin Taimur, the father of Sultan Qaboos. During the 1960s the castle was expanded by adding the outer wall and its four towers. The castle was more recently renovated during the times of Sultan Qaboos and reopened as a museum in 1994.
