Oman Sights

Oman - a very picturesque country with diverse natural resources - the ancient mountains, dazzling waterfalls, spectacular deserts and dunes, green oases and sandy beaches. The spectacular landscape of Oman is distinguished from other Persian Gulf countries - unique arid tracts of northern Jabal, the green pastures of Dhofar, the sea of sand Rub al-Khali, a huge salt plateau, the Umm al-Sami, covered with dust and stones terrain Dzhiddat al-Hararis, more than 2 thousand kilometers. coastline - all this, in contrast to the surrounding countries of the Arabian Peninsula, full of life and picturesque scenery. The coastal waters are rich in marine fauna, and the south coast has a few hundred kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches, well-known outside the country. And, of course, the Omanis themselves - an ancient and distinct nation, known for its hospitality and rich traditions.

Muscat - very unique city with traditional mosques, adjoining the modern business district, met with Eastern flair. Stretching along the coast for 200 km. He and 70-ies of XX century was merely a small town in the Upper Bay of Khor Muscat. And only recently, with the growth of the economy, Muscat was one of the most beautiful cities in the Arab world, having incorporated many old settlements coast.

The main landmarks are fragments of the old fortress wall (XVII century.), The Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali (both of the XVI century., Restricted), Fort Matra (Makara, XVI cent.), Fort Beit Al-Falaj (1806), old city gate of Bab Ualdzhat (XVI cent.), the palace of Al-Alam (1970), the building of the Ministry of religious property, Majlis al-Shura in Seeb and the famous Omani Sphinx "- a rock" rock face "(old man) in the Ruy . At mosques scattered throughout the city, among which particularly stands out enormous Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (2001) in the area Gubra (total area of the complex more than 46 thousand square meters. M plus a library and the Islamic Institute). But what is surprising - in this Islamic country, carefully preserved in places of worship of other religions - only in Muscat, you can see the former Portuguese Church of Beit al-Gerizim, the Catholic church of SS Peter and Paul, an Omani Protestant church in the Al Burj Street, as well as Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Deserve special attention capital's museums - Museum of Oman with a good historical exhibit, the Museum of Natural History in the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, an Omani-French Museum (Beit-France), Museum of Omani life at Fort Jalali, a historical museum of Beit al-Zubayr (private collection of family Zubair), the National Museum (Al-Mathaf al-Uatani), the Military Museum at Fort Beit Al Falaj, the Museum of the child (or rather - a huge complex of entertainment and informative for children) and the Museum of Natural History. Òhe oriental flair famous market Matra (Matra Souk al-Kadim), as well as many small markets and private shops scattered throughout the city (especially a lot of them in the shopping district Rui).

Compared with other cities of the Arabian Peninsula, Muscat is surprisingly rich vegetation. It smashed many parks and gardens, the most interesting are the park Matrahe ria in the territory of which destroyed a beautiful garden and operates an amusement park, park Kalb, a park al-Kurm (area of 570 thousand square meters. M.), a park al-Harus, moon Park Sindbad-Fan-City "and children's amusement park in Seeb. In the city there is even an indoor ice rink (in Hueyre).

In the vicinity of the fort is worth a visit Beit Al-Makha (XVII cent.), The ruins of forts and Fateh sur-Jahl in Baushere, hot springs in the gala, Marine Research Center, an aquarium, yacht club and sailing club in the Gulf of Roda, a public beach and Diving Center in Bandar Jissa, chateau and the remnants of the fort at al-course, the residence of the Sultan of the Beit al-Baraka and Zulfi mosque in Seeb, fortress sur-Majid and a huge park in Rumeyse Nasim, as well as a fort in Kureyate etc.

To the north of the capital, between the sea and the ridge of Jebel Hajar, to the border with the UAE extends the fertile valley Batin. Stomach and the most unusual for the Arabian region, the land crossed by numerous wadis, and has a fairly mild climate. The region's capital - the city of Sohar, one of the oldest cities in the world, famous for its fort (IX-XVI centuries). With interesting museums, the famous fish market and a tourist bazaar Suq Siyahiya, as well as many old buildings that flank the narrow streets of the old part of town.

In Batina also interesting forts Barki, Beit Naaman (1691), Sueyk (XVII century.), Al-Hazm (1711), the oldest in Oman, the Al-Gamama (X cent.) Hidzhar in the village, the old capital country - the city with its ancient Rustaq (600-1744 gg.) fort and Mazari Ahmad bin Said, Sufi Center in Galil Al-MASAIDOV, numerous shops of artisans in Khabour unique terraced villages in the valley Sahtan, old mines in Arja, Taui-Arja and al-Abyade, one of the most beautiful in the country fort Nahl (II-IX cc.) Petroglyphs in Wadi Beni Kharus and Wadi Sahtan etc.

This land is famous for its natural beauty (it is enough to say that this is the green corner of the Arabian Peninsula). Endless beaches Sueydi (Ras Al-Sauadi), a picturesque area around Wadi al-Abyad and Wadi Beni Auf, the famous Wadi Bim ( "Snake Canyon"), as well as hot springs at-Thoiry, Rustaq, Ain al-Kasfa etc. . known to the whole country.

North, in the territory of the Emirate of Fujairah, Musandam lies an enclave - an area of picturesque mountains and bays. Extremely popular among tourists Fort Khasab, fjords Hor-Shamma and Khor Najd, the most northern city of Oman - Kumzar, Fort Buha and the famous rock carvings Jebel Harim. Stretch of land south of the capital of the province Shakya, representing the most wild and pristine areas of the country. There are such interesting places as depression Bim, caves Hoshilat-Makandeli (one of the largest caves in the world), the area of moving sand dunes Ramlat al Uahiba, the ruins of an ancient Kalhata, the port city of Sur, the beautiful oasis in Wadi Beni Khalid, Masirah Island and the famous "Turtle Beach", which stretches from Ras al-Hadd to Ra's al-Rueys, where sea turtles lay their eggs, known as a center mounted and camel races - the Al-Fatah, gorgeous beaches Mokalla Beach, Ras al-Dzhuneyz and etc. And, of course, forts - Dagmar (1915), Sunaysila (XVIII century.) Bilad Sur, Kuran (XVI century.) Dzhaalyan Beni-Bu-Ali (XI century. one of the oldest forts of the country , is open for visits), and Aulyad-Hamid (XIX cent.), as well as the old fortified houses and ancient mosque in the capital inland areas Shikii - Ibra.

Inland areas of Oman and the province are famous Dakhiliyah Region patriarchal, many ancient fortifications and harsh nature. It is worth visiting by itself with its mosque Mazen bin Gaduby (the oldest in the country, 627), the forts Bidbid in the aisle Wadi Samail, Beit Al-Radida, Jibrin (1680-1692 gg.) Bahla (included in the list of World Heritage UNESCO, XVII century.), al-Ga6i, the stronghold of al-Sulayf, the ancient city of Adam - "homeland" of the ruling dynasty, the wild coast of al-Usta, Ras Madraka, Khor Darif and lagoon of Khor Gauja, reserve gazelles Dzhiddat al - Harasis on the eponymous plateaus, caves al-Huthis and al-Kitty, the canyons of Wadi Ghoul and Wadi al-Nahr, scenic ancient mountains of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams, as well as the famous necropolis of the Bronze Age (3 thousand years BC. e. ) in the Wadi Al-Ayn (included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site) and petroglyphs al-Hamra (III millennium BC. e.).

On the plateau of Al-Jawf is the capital of Dakhiliyah Region and one of the most picturesque cities in the country - Nizwa. This is the first capital of Oman, its history from the VI century. There are characters such countries as surrounded by ancient houses Nizwa Fort (XII-XVI cc.), Old Town, The Citadel (1649-1661 gg.) Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the mosque Uarita bin Kaaba, Majid Al-Hasat, the famous Al - Shauadna, "cemetery imams" Makbarat Al-Ama, and numerous markets.

Dhofar - the most southern, the most rainy and most unusual province of Oman. In a small coastal strip neighbor grove of coconut palms and cacti, mangroves and multi-kilometer strip of beaches, arid plateaus and rich gardens, sand dunes of the great desert Rub al-Khali and salt lakes. Worth visiting the provincial capital of Salalah with its Sultan's palace and the museums, the ruins of al-Bal'id, Taki forts, the caves of the valley of Wadi Darbat, picturesque port city Mirbat, "lost city" of Ubar around Shisra, grotto Kahf Al-Marnif and unique "marine fountains "about Mugseylya, as well as caves in the area Tiui al-Tayr.