Bahla Fort comprises the ruins of a typical Omani military fortress, built by the local Banu Nabhan tribe that ruled between the mid-12th and 15th centuries.

It is one of four historic fortresses situated at the foot of the Djebel Akhdar highlands - the others being Rustaq, Nizwa and Izki.

Its walls and towers were built in adobe, on a sandstone base. To the southwest is the Friday Mosque with a 14th-century sculpted mihrab.

The fort was put on the Danger list a year after inscription, because it was dilapidated and decaying rapidly after each rainy season.