The village of Tanuf is located about halfway between Nizwa and Bahla. The name is instantly recognizable in Oman due to the drinking water brand that is bottled nearby, sourced from the springs in Wadi Tanuf. However, one of the main attractions of Tanuf are the ruins of the old village, often referred to as “Tanuf Castle Ruins”. These are easy to get to and are visible from the main road. Located at the foot of the Jebel Akhdar mountains, they seem to guard the entrance to Wadi Tanuf, which you can also explore further if you have a 4WD vehicle.
This old village comprises many mudbrick buildings and houses, and was inhabited until the Jebel Akhdar war of the 1950’s. This war lasted between 1954 and 1959 and opposed the Imamate of Oman (interior of the country) to the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman (coastal area). The Jebel Akhdar Mountain, including Tanuf, witnessed intense fighting between the two parties, and these ruins are a stark reminder of the conflict.
The best time to visit the ruins is close to sunset, when the buildings and the southern mountain face are bathed in golden light. Walking among these old houses and the narrow streets, feels like a window into the past, to a time when modern day luxuries were absent. It is also better to visit during the winter months, when the temperature is lower, and the air is crisper, allowing for a good visibility of the surrounding landscape. I stopped in Tanuf coming back from Wadi Nakr, and spent almost 1 hour there, just walking around and taking photos under the wonderful light.
