Sights in Oman
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Grand Mosque
This glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark the 30th year of his reign. Quietly imposing from the outside, the main prayer hall is breathtakingly rich. The Persian carpet alone is 70m x 60m wide, making it the largest carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave.
When visiting the mosque, long sleeves and trousers (not jeans) or long skirts should be worn, and women should cover their hair.
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Ghala & Al-Ghubrah
Also known as the Grand mosque, Ghala & Al-Ghubrah is a glorious piece of modern Islamic architecture. It was a gift to the nation from Sultan Qaboos to mark the 30th year of his reign. Quietly imposing from the outside, the main prayer hall is breathtakingly rich. The Persian carpet alone is 70m x 60m wide, making it the largest carpet in the world; it took 600 women four years to weave.
When visiting the mosque, long sleeves and trousers (not jeans) or long skirts should be worn, and women should cover their hair. As when entering all mosques, you should remove your shoes and take care not to touch the Quran. If you sit on the carpet, make sure your feet are tucked…
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Mutrah Souq
Many people come to Mutrah Corniche just to visit the Mutrah Souq, which retains the chaotic interest of a traditional Arab market albeit housed under modern timber roofing. There are some good antique shops selling a mixture of Indian and Omani artefacts among the usual textile, hardware and gold shops. Bargaining is expected but the rewards are not great, any discount will be small. Entrance to the souq is via the corniche, opposite the pedestrian traffic lights.
Take care not to wander into the historic, Shiite district of Al-Lawataya by mistake, as the settlement is walled for a good purpose. A sign under the archway politely requests visitors to keep out. Turn right…
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Sultan's Palace
If you stand by the harbour wall on Mirani St, the building to the right with the delightful mushroom pillars in blue and gold is the Sultan's Palace. It was recently extended over the site of the former British embassy. In the grounds, there used to be the stump of a flagpole: the story goes that any slave (Oman was infamous for its slave trade from East Africa) who touched the flagpole was granted freedom.
There's a fine view of the palace from the roundabout on the inland side: some streets of houses have recently been cleared (to the chagrin of some) to make a new colonnade befitting of a royal residence and more appropriate to officially 'meet and greet' -…
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Al-Jalali Fort
Guarding the entrance to the harbour to the east, Al-Jalali Fort was built during the Portuguese occupation in the 1580s on Arab foundations.
The fort is accessible only via a steep flight of steps. As such, it made the perfect prison for a number of years, but now it is a museum of Omani heritage, open only to visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
Neither this fort nor Al-Mirani is open to the public, but photographs are permitted. During palace military occasions, bands of bagpipers perform from the fort battlements, and the royal dhow and yacht are sailed in full regalia into the harbour. With fireworks reflected in the water, it makes a spectacular sight.
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Al-Mirani Fort
To the west, Al-Mirani Fort was built at the same time as Al-Jalali Fort. It contributed to the fall of the Portuguese through a curious affair of the heart: legend has it that the Portuguese commander fell for the daughter of a Hindu supplier, who refused the match on religious grounds. On being threatened with ruin, he spent a year apparently preparing for the wedding, but in fact convincing the commander that the fort's supplies needed a complete overhaul.
Instead of replacing the removed gunpowder and grain, he gave the nod to Imam Sultan bin Saif, who succeeded in retaking the defenceless fort in 1649. The Portuguese were ousted from Muscat soon after.
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Sultan's Armed Forces Museum
Despite the less than appealing name, this excellent Sultan's Armed Forces Museum is far more than just a display of military hardware. The museum is housed in Bayt al-Falaj, built in 1845 as a royal summer home but used mostly as the headquarters of the sultan's armed forces. The lower rooms give a comprehensive outline of Oman's history, and the upper rooms explore Oman's international relations and military prowess.
The museum is on the itinerary of visiting dignitaries and you'll be given a mandatory military escort. There's a falaj (irrigation channel) in the grounds outside.
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Sohar
Just outside the Al-Bustan Palace Hotel, a small roundabout is home to the Sohar , a boat named after the hometown of the famou Omani seafarer, Ahmed bin Majid. The boat is a replica of one sailed by Abdullah bin Gasm in the mid-8th century to Guangzhou in China. It was built in the dhow yards of Sur from the bark of over 75,000 palm trees and four tonnes of rope. Not a single nail was used in the construction.
Tim Severin and a crew of Omani sailors undertook a famous voyage to Guangzhou in this boat in 1980 - a journey of 6000 nautical miles that took eight months to complete.
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Bait al-Baranda
The new museum, Bait al-Baranda in a renovated 1930s house, traces the history - and prehistory - of Muscat through imaginative, interactive displays and exhibits. A 'cut-and-paste' dinosaur, using bones found in the Al-Khoud area of Muscat and topped up with borrowed bones from international collections, is one of many striking exhibits in this excellent museum. The ethnographical displays help set not just Muscat but the whole of Oman in a regional, commercial and cultural context.
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Muscat Gate Museum
Straddling the road between the corniche and the old walled city, the Muscat Gate Museum, with the original gates used until the 1970s to keep land-bound marauders out, marks the position of the old city wall and introduces Muscat proper. It is also a vantage point for the Sultan's Palace. A quick climb up to the aerial mast on the neighbouring hill gives an even better view of Mutrah and Muscat.
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Wadi Shab
This wadi is arguably one of the most gorgeous destinations in Oman. Beyond the breathtaking entrance, the wadi rewards you with views of aquamarine pools, waterfalls and terraced plantations; kingfishers add glorious splashes of colour. For the adventurous, there are plenty of opportunities for (discreet) swimming and a visit to a partially submerged cave.
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Jabrin Castle
Rising without competition from the surrounding plain, Jabrin Castle is an impressive sight. Even if you have had a surfeit of fortifications, make the effort to climb one more keep as Jabrin is one of the best preserved and whimsical of them all. Head for the flagpole for a bird's-eye view of the latticed-window courtyard at the heart of the keep.
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Samail
If you have your own vehicle, it's worth visiting Samail. A fort and Oman's oldest mosque are hidden in the plantations but the real attraction is the lush oasis through which the road passes. Masjid Mazin bin Ghadouba Mosque, with wooden lintels and stained-glass windows, has been completely rebuilt and is constructed from blocks of stone.
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Watchtower
The restored Portuguese Watchtower on a promontory out to sea, half way along the corniche, affords a lovely view out to sea. Access to the staircase is from behind the Al-Inshirah Restaurant. The area is a popular place to catch the evening breeze and is decorated with colourful fountains at night.
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Oman Museum
In addition to the small displays of artefacts and interesting rooms on Omani architecture, the Oman Museum is worth trying to find for its view over dazzlingly white suburbs and sea, though it's not always open as stated. A taxi from Qurm up the steep 1.3km climb costs about around OR1.
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PDO Oil & Gas Exhibition
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is responsible for much of the rapid growth of infrastructure throughout the country, as outlined in the PDO Oil & Gas Exhibition. To reach it from Qurm, follow the signs for the Crowne Plaza Hotel and turn at the first right along Sayh al-Malih St.
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Planetarium
The Planetarium is open for two shows per week in English (at 19:00 Wednesday and 10:00 Thursday) but book one day ahead. To reach it from Qurm, follow the signs for the Crowne Plaza Hotel and turn at the first right along Sayh al-Malih St.
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Omani-French Museum
With galleries detailing relations between the two countries, the Omani-French Museum provides an interesting snapshot of mostly 19th-century colonial life in Muscat. From October until March, the museum is also open from 16:00 to 19:00.
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Natural History Museum
The Ministry of National Heritage houses the small but lovely Natural History Museum. The museum is a must for anyone interested in the local flora and fauna, and there are also some excellent displays on Oman's geography and geology.
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Mutrah Fort
Built by the Portuguese in the 1580s, the Mutrah Fort dominates the eastern end of the harbour. Used for military purposes, it is generally closed to visitors although you can scale the flank of the fort for a good view of the ocean.
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National Museum
With displays of jewellery, costumes and dowry chests, the National Museum has its moments. A mural and collection of boats celebrating Oman's seafaring heritage are probably the best part of a tired collection.
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Fish Market
Despite being the capital's main port area, Mutrah feels like a fishing village. The daily catch is delivered to the Fish Market, by the Marina Hotel, from sunrise.
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Al-Riyam Park
Beyond the Mutrah Fort, the corniche leads to the leafy Al-Riyam Park , with fine views of the harbour from the giant, ornamental incense burner and small fun fair.
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Bayt Az-Zubair
In a beautifully restored house, the museum Bayt Az-Zubair exhibits Omani heritage in photographs and displays of traditional handicrafts and furniture.
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Qurm Park
Attractively landscaped park, with ponds, shade for picnics, a model village (active during Muscat Festival) and a small funfair with a Ferris wheel.
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