Oman

Museums and culture in Oman

Oman’s cultural landscape spans from the contemporary elegance of the Royal Opera House Muscat to the ancient ruins of Old Qalhat, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once a major Indian Ocean port. This selection includes Bait Al Zubair’s private collection of Omani weaponry and jewelry, the historic Al-Ayjah Lighthouse in the maritime hub of Sur, and Bait al-Safah, a living museum in Al Hamra where traditional crafts like bread making and oil extraction are still practiced in a 400-year-old mud-brick house.

Khalidalbusaidi / CC BY-SA 4.0

Royal Opera House Muscat

The Royal Opera House Muscat is Oman's premier venue for musical arts and culture.

Step / CC BY 2.0

Bait Al Zubair

Bait Al Zubair is a museum, located on Al Saidiya Street, Old Muscat, Oman.The museum has an extensive collection of ancient weapons,…

Alfred Weidinger / CC BY 2.0

Old Qalhat (archeological site)

A UNESCO World Heritage site and former major port of the Kingdom of Hormuz between the 13th and 15th centuries. The most prominent remaining structure is the 14th-century tomb of Bibi Maryam, featuring intricate stucco carvings and a subterranean crypt.

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Originally built as a defensive watchtower, this historic structure in Sur was converted into a lighthouse to guide ships into the lagoon. It overlooks the traditional dhow-building yards and the Khor Al Batah suspension bridge.

Bait al-Safah

A living history museum situated in a 400-year-old mud-brick house in Al Hamra. Local women demonstrate traditional Omani practices, including the milling of flour, coffee roasting, and the extraction of oil from juniper seeds and nuts.