Oman is a country where the richest nature , Arab originality, interesting sights and modern tourist infrastructure are superbly combined. You can find out about its ancient history and cultural values by visiting the museums of Oman.
Museums in Muscat
The most interesting and visited city of Oman is its capital, Muscat . Visiting his museums is not only informative, but also fascinating. Start your journey from these places:
- The Omani Museum. Located in the Medina area of Habu. A unique exhibition is dedicated to the history of Oman. There are expositions of the Stone Age, ancient burial places, seaports. Among the exhibits you can see ancient maps, ornaments and many valuable historical relics.
- The National Museum of Oman . It is located in the oldest district of the capital, Ruvi. The museum was founded in 1978. The three-story building consists of 10 galleries, studio rooms and a large hall for seminars and lectures. The exhibitions of the museum tell about the historical and religious values of the cultural heritage of Oman. In addition to many works of art, there are unique collections of jewelry, weapons, national costumes. Here you can see even the skeletons of ships! The main and most valuable exhibit of the National Museum is the letter of the Prophet Muhammad, written in the VIII century. the rulers of Oman.
- The Beit al-Zubair Museum . The Historical Ethnographic Museum is privately owned by the Zubayr family and opened since 1998. There are 3 museum buildings and a park on the territory. The most impressive exhibition is devoted to weapons. Among the exhibits are found during excavations Portuguese swords of the XVI century, Omani daggers, firearms. Collections of coins, medals, national dishes and clothes are collected. Also there is an exhibition of old books, furniture, fabrics and carpets, etc. The most beautiful exposition of the museum is the unique collection of jewelry of the Middle Ages.
- Museum of Natural History. Visitors will get acquainted with different types of flora and fauna of modern Oman, visit the exhibition with skeletons of dinosaurs found on the Arabian Peninsula. Near the museum there is a botanical garden.
- The military museum of Oman. The museum exhibition occupies the building of the former headquarters of the armed forces of Great Britain. Here you can find unique collections of uniforms and weapons from different eras. In the museum there are a lot of exhibits connected with military actions, which were held ever in the country.
- The Gate of Muscat. From the east through the large gate passes the entrance to the capital of Oman. It is there that this museum is located with a unique collection of Neolithic artifacts and expositions of the heyday of Muscat XX and XXI centuries.
- Museum of oil and gas. It is dedicated to their extraction and processing in the country. The whole process of the first oil production and transportation in Oman is interesting and detailed. The exposition presents modern mechanisms of the oil and gas industry.
- Museum of the currency of Oman. It is located in the central bank of the country in the district of Ruwi. Collections of coins of different periods of development of Oman are exhibited here. Unique denominations are 10 rupees, issued in 1908 in Zanzibar. In total, the museum has 672 artifacts belonging to different historical periods.
- Museum Bai Adam . It is located in a private mansion, the owner of which personally collected a magnificent collection of artifacts and historical values associated with the history of Oman. There are jewelry and coins, weapons, watches, ancient maps, paintings, navigational instruments. The main value of the museum is chess from the horn of the rhinoceros, presented to US President Jackson by Sultan Said. Arabian horses are dedicated to a separate room.
- Children's Museum of Oman. It is located next to the Kurum park in a building under a white dome. The museum is divided into 3 exhibitions: human life, physics, research. Children can conduct interesting experiences such as launching a balloon, summoning a lightning bolt, photographing their own shadow, testing with current and sending a message in a whisper in a saucer.
- Omani French Museum. It is located in the building of the former French consulate. The museum has a large collection of diplomatic documents and treaties concluded between Oman and France. A separate exhibition is occupied by jewelry, furniture and French national costumes.
- Museum of the Armed Forces. The exhibition covers the period of pre-Islamic Oman, relations with other countries of the Arabian Peninsula and the history of the formation of the armed forces of the country. The exposition in the open air is interesting. Here you can visit the bunker, inspect a military ship and sit in a bullet-proof car.
Also in Muscat, you can visit other interesting museums:
- perfumes Amouage;
- contemporary art;
- illusions;
- Omani life;
- Madha Discrit;
- Planetarium;
- The fortress of Jalali with a museum of Omani heritage and culture.
Museums in other cities of Oman
Not only does Muscat have interesting museums. During the trip around the country you can visit here:
- Maritime Museum of the city of Sur . Created in 1987, the exhibition stores many historical photographs of the city. The main asset of the museum is the model of the courts of Oman, as well as construction equipment, manuscripts, maps, navigation systems.
- Historical Museum of Sohar . It is located in the building of the fortress with the same name. The expositions show the history of the fort and the city, which is already many thousands of years old. In addition, the guides will talk about Sinbad the seaman, who, according to local residents, was once born in this city.
- City Museum of the city of Salalah . The main exhibition is devoted to artifacts found during excavations. Here you can see ancient manuscripts, incredibly beautiful Arabic ceramics and literary works. Very interesting is the collection of incense. Here much is connected with its trade, extraction and delivery in different cities.