Pushpitha Wijesinghe
What was once a rural poor area has now evolved into an economically stable city. Muscat is where Oman's financial regime takes place actively. So to say, you will never get bored with the city especially for its wide variety of places to visit. Five popular places are listed below.
Nizwa castle is easy to identify with the grassy spread of date palms. The castle will take you back to the disordered episodes of Oman's lengthy history. Its location was a strategic point especially when linking routes between Muscat and Dhofar.
And today it is a tourist-frequented place. That is where you get to see Omani architecture. This architecture invites you to have an idea on how the ancient Omanis lived. Imam Al Sult bin Malik Al Kharusi built the fort's oldest part.
If you get to Al-Batina region, Nakhl Castle is easy to locate. The castle is perched on a 200-metre rocky area. From the castle you can see palm farms in the Nakhl countryside. Of course the village's name automatically led its way to the castle's name.
The castle is said to be have been built before the Islamic era. After a series of renovations, the castle was finally restored into what it is today in 1990. Of the towers you get to see here, Al Wasat tower is most significant. In this castle you can also see a bridge running down under. The castle is also home to many rooms which were originally used for various purposes.
If you get to Al-Batina region, Nakhl Castle is easy to locate. The castle is perched on a 200-metre rocky area. From the castle you can see palm farms in the Nakhl countryside. Of course the village's name automatically led its way to the castle's name.
The castle is said to be have been built before the Islamic era. After a series of renovations, the castle was finally restored into what it is today in 1990. Of the towers you get to see here, Al Wasat tower is most significant. In this castle you can also see a bridge running down under. The castle is also home to many rooms which were originally used for various purposes.
This is one of the oldest castles in Oman. Oldest to the extent that UNESCO declared this castle as a World Heritage Site in 1988. A local tribe established this castle around 12 and 15th centuries for military purpose. With this castle, three others: Rustaqu, Nizwa and Izki, were also built. You can see that the walls and towers are built in abode on a sandstone base. If you move to the southwest, you can see the Friday Mosque. In this mosque, there is a mihrab sculpted in the 14th century. The fort, over time, could not weather the climatic conditions. It was slowly facing dilapidation. Taking lodging at a Hotel in Muscat, such as Ruwi Hotel, will be much easier if you plan to visit famous places that surround the city.
Well, most tourists have a reason to get here without fail. Lonely Planet calls it the one of the most gorgeous destinations in Oman. Close to the castle you can see pools, waterfalls and terraced plantations and kingfishers. In the background you can see Hajar mountain. From Quarayyat, Muscat, it will take about 76 kilometres to reach Wadi.
If you want to have an idea how the ancient Omanis structured their defensive architecture, Jabrin Castle will teach you more than enough. Its sophisticated artistry speaks a lot about the civilized lifestyle the ancient Omanis had while raking brains for defence in turbulent periods of history. Jabrin castle has no competition with any other castle. Its sight is so impressive. It stands majestically in the town, which is quite famous mainly because of the castle.
