Jalali Castle Introduction: Jalali, located on the top of the East Rock, overlooking the ancient Muscat Harbor and adjacent to the magnificent Al-Alam Palace. The castle was originally built by the Portuguese captain Melkior Calaca in the early 16th century. Over the next half century, several fortifications and towers were built. In 1650, the castle was captured by the Omani army and was rebuilt and consolidated to its present state. Jellali Castle was fortified by two tall towers connected by a long wall equipped with built-in gaps for firing cannons. The castle also had barricades, cannons and a reservoir to store rainwater. Apart from a small bridge and stairs near the tower, the castle is completely isolated and difficult to access from land.