As you will have gathered by now, Oman is a place to stroll, take your time and savour the moment. I would warmly recommend a walk across the square where the palace of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq stands, known in Arabic as Qasr al Alam—the Palace of the Flag. My personal preference is for a stroll towards the end of the day, at sunset. You can watch the Omani flag being lowered and enjoy an authentic moment as the call to prayer rises from the surrounding mosques.
With its gold symbolising prestige and its blue evoking the sea and sky, this is the Sultan’s ceremonial palace rather than his residence. It is here that he receives delegations and guests. Under Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may God have mercy on him, construction of the palace began in 1972 and was completed in 1974. Its location is no coincidence: this magnificent building stands between two forts, Al Jalali and Al Mirani. These two sixteenth-century Portuguese forts once guarded the entrance to Muscat Bay.
Four hundred metres away, opposite this seat of power, you will find the National Museum of Oman. Established by royal decree in 2013, it opened its doors in 2016. It houses more than 7,000 objects tracing the Sultanate’s history and showcasing its heritage, displayed across 4,000 m² in 14 permanent galleries.
The “Oman and the World” gallery offers an insight into the connections the country has maintained with other civilisations for more than 5,000 years. Goods, people and ideas have travelled across borders over the centuries, shaping the history of a country open to the world. A lovely way to continue discovering Mutrah and its trading past.
Beyond monuments and objects, the museum also makes room for Omani traditions and craftsmanship. Here, you can discover the aflaj, the traditional irrigation systems recognised by UNESCO, as well as frankincense and the country’s intangible heritage.
One room, however, made a particular impression on me: the room displaying state gifts presented to the Sultanate. These gifts offer another way of discovering Oman’s connections with the world. Among them is a terrestrial globe presented in 1989 by French President François Mitterrand to Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may God have mercy on him, during the Sultan’s state visit to France. Created by architect Fernand Pouillon, it features, among other things, the names of places that marked the French president’s life.
Photo gallery
Discover the photographs from this visit.