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Taqa castle
opens after renovation carried by the Tourism
Ministry. The renovation included internal and
external maintenance, fixing name plates of the
chambers, new lamps, castle's chambers have been
modified to be used for as gifts and souvenirs
shop managed by the Omani Woman Association in
the wilayat of Taqa, beautification of the
castle's front as well as laying barriers. Taqa
castle in Dhofar dates back to the 19th century.
Previously, the castle was renovated in 1992 by
the Ministry of Tourism.
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Al
Hota Cave opens for public in July
2006. This second largest cave in Oman is
located in the foothills of the central Hajar
mountains in Al Hamra, a few kilometres from
Nizwa. The cave has been illuminated with
coloured lights, a walkway with iron railings
and stairs has been built for easy access. The
cave’s Visitor Centre is a 2-storey RCC
structure with a reception, ticket counter,
restaurant, souvenir shop, geological museum &
with platform for the train. The train, which
will take the tourists from the Visitor’s Centre
to the inside of the cave, will be installed in
May 2007. The track for the train, which has a
capacity to ferry 36 passengers on each trip has
already been laid. The cave is estimated to be 2
million years old & has a 2.7-km tunnel with
dozens of ancillary chambers and offshoots from
north to south through the flanks of a large
mountain. The rocks date back to the cretaceous
era between 65 million and 136 million years
old. Another outstanding feature is the presence
of a subterranean lake, which is home to unusual
species of pink-coloured blind fish which sense
their way around the lake with their feelers.
The main chamber has a profusion of splendid
cave formations, technically known as
speleothems. These include stalagmites,
stalactites and flowstone, which are formed
inside caves with rainwater, plant debris and
carbonate bedrock (limestone). Stalactites grow
from the roof downward, whereas, stalagmites
grow from the floor upwards. As a rule of thumb,
one cm of stalactite takes 1,000 years to form.
For more information contact Ministry of Tourism
at
info@omantourism.gov.om, visit
www.omantourism.gov.om
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Aquarium and
Marine Science Centre
Set up in 1986 near Sidab Muscat, the aquarium showcases
rich and unique marine life from the Omani waters. With a
coastline stretching nearly 3,165 kilometres, Oman has more
than 150 species of fish and crustaceans ranging from
sardines to tuna. MSFC in co-operation with Sultan Qaboos
University is studying range of marine species with
particular emphasis on the conservation of ecosystems and
endangered species, including turtles. The aquarium has
recently been renovated.
Located: Ministry of Fisheries, Near Marina Bandar Al
Rowda, Sidab
Timings: Saturday - Wednesday from 8am -2.30pm,
Thursday 8am – 1pm & Friday 3 - 7pm
Entrance Fees: Free Entry
Contact No.
24736449 (for more information call Ali Jafari)
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Bait Al Zubair
This museum offers insight into the Omani lifestyle and
traditions. It has a vast collection of ancient household
equipment, costumes and weapons. Most of the exhibits come
from the owner's private collection.
Location: On Al Saidiya Street in Old Muscat
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9am – 1pm & 4 – 7pm
Entrance Fees: RO 1 (for expats) 500 Bzs (for Omanis),
250 Bzs (children)
Contact No. 247366688
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Bait Na’aman
Operated by Ministry of Heritage and Culture, this is a
beautiful country house restored and furnished in original
Omani style.
(The fort is closed till December 2005 for renovation)
Location: Half an hour’s drive from Muscat on the
dual carriageway.
Timings: Saturday - Wednesday from 9am -1.30pm
Entrance Fees: 500 Bzs
Contact No. 24641300
extn 142, Fax 24641525
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Children's Science Museum
Children of all ages can enjoy scientific experiments
through hands on experience. It contains innovative ideas to
explore science. The museum has recently opened a new
computer workshop for its visitors to learn technology in an
interactive way.
Location: Housed in dome shaped building at Shatti al
Qurum near the Qurum Natural Park, Way no 2601
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9.30am – 1.30pm
Entrance Fees: 500 Bzs (adults) and 100 Bzs (under 12
years)
Contact No. 24605368
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Currency Museum
Situated inside the Central Bank of Oman Ruwi, this museum
showcases an interesting collection of coins and notes,
highlight being a rare Gold coin gifted to the museum by His
Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
Location: Central Bank of Oman, CBD, Ruwi, Opp HSBC
Bank
Timings: Saturday – Wednesday from 8.30am – 12.30pm
Entrance Fees: 500 Bzs (adults), 200 Bzs (children)
and 100 Bzs (under 6 years)
Contact No. 24796102
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Muscat Gate Museum
The Muscat Gate House Museum, housed in a fort-like building
across a road leading out of old Muscat opened in January
2001. Displays cover Oman's history from Neolithic times to
the present. There is a special exhibit on Muscat's water
springs, ancient wells, underground channels, souqs, houses,
mosques, harbours and forts.
Location: On Muttrah Corniche, Al Bahri Road to Old
Muscat, located in the gate on both sides of the road, Way
no 8845
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9.30 11.30am & 4.30
– 7pm
Contact No. 99328754
(Curator Homaid Al Raji)
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National Museum
Previously known as the Museum of Bait Assayed / Nadir bin
Faisal bin Turki, this museum open in 1978. It contains
silver ornaments, copper crafts and samples of Omani ships,
in addition a letter dated 8th century Hijri sent by the
Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) to the rulers of Oman
A'bd and Jaifer Sons of Al Julanda, inviting the people of
Oman to Islam. There is a special section showing belongings
of Al Busaidi dynasty, the rulers of Zanzibar.
Location: Above Islamic Library, Way no 3123, off
A’Noor Street Ruwi
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9.30am – 1.30pm
Entrance Fees: 500 Bzs (adults), 200 Bzs (children)
and 100 Bzs (under 6 years)
Contact No. 24701289
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Natural History
Museum
Opened on 20th December 1985, the museum contains four
Sections showcasing Oman diverse physical features, Oman
through geological ages, Wildlife of Oman, Whale & Sea
Creatures Hall. Ideal for children, the museum has
informative tour around Oman’s wildlife showing stuffed
animals and birds set in their different habitats. Visitors
in winter can also tour botanical gardens adjacent to the
museum building.
Location: Located at Ministry of Heritage & Culture complex,
Al Khuwair, off the dual carriageway, opposite Zawawi
Mosque.
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9.30am – 1.30pm
Entrance Fees: 500 Bzs (adults), 200 Bzs (children)
and 100 Bzs (under 6 years)
Contact No. 24641510
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Oil and Gas Museum
It was donated to the people of Oman by PDO in 1995. The
museum takes you to an interactive journey through Oman's
discovery, extraction and use of fossil fuels.
Location: On Seih Al Maleh Street, Qurum on the right before
PDO Gate no 2
Timings: Saturday – Wednesday from 7am – 12noon & 1 –
3.45pm, Thursdays 8am – 12noon
Entrance Fees: Free Entry
Contact No. 24677834
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Omani - French Museum
The museum was the residence of French Consul in Muscat
known as Bait Faransa. It was presented as a gift by the
Sultan Assayed / Faisal bin Turki to the first French Consul
in Muscat in 1896. It was opened on 29th January 1992 by His
Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the late French President
François Mitterrand. The museum contains historical
documents, pictures and samples of Omani - French ships in
addition to Omani and French costumes & jewellery.
Location: Located in Lane 9310, Qasr Al Alam Street,
Old Muscat.
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9am – 1pm (from
October 1st – March 31st the museum opens from 9am – 1pm & 4
– 6pm)
Entrance Fees: 500 Bzs (adults), 200 Bzs (children 12
-6 years)
Contact No. 24736613
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Oman Museum
Opened on 17th November 1974, this museum contains detailed
archaeological and artefacts information. The other section
contains information about agriculture and minerals, trade
routes, architecture, dhows, firearms, art & crafts of Oman.
Location: Al Alam Street, Qurum on the hill behind
the Ministry of Information, Way no 1566
Timings: Saturday – Wednesday from 9.30am – 1.30pm,
Thursday 9.30am – 12.30pm
Entrance Fees: 500 Bzs (adults), 200 Bzs (children)
and 100 Bzs (under 6 years)
Contact No. 24600946
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PDO Planetarium, Qurum
Adjacent to Oil and Gas Museum, the planetarium was built in
the year 2000 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of His
Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Location: On Seih Al Maleh Street, Qurum on the right
before PDO Gate no 2
Arabic Shows Timings: Every Wednesday from the month of May
- October at 5pm and November - April at 4pm, every Thursday
11-12noon.
English Shows Timings: Every Wednesday from 7- 8pm,
every Thursday 10-11pm.
School group for Arabic & English on Saturday, Sunday,
Tuesday & Wednesday: 1st show from 9 - 10am and 2nd show
from 10.30 - 11.30am. There are no shows on Mondays, Friday
and public holidays
Entrance Fees: Free Entry
Contact No. 24675542
Email:
planetarium@pdo.co.om
Visit
www.pdo.co.om/planetarium
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Sultan’s Armed
Forces Museum
Located in 150 year old Bait Al Falaj fort, the original
garrison headquarters for Sultan Said bin Sultan's Armed
Forces. Oman's military history is explored using weapons,
uniforms, motor vehicles and defence systems. Uniforms, guns
ranging from antique cannons, through early machine guns, to
the weapons taken from rebels in Dhofar, models of vehicles
and planes, instruments, medals an ejector seat and a
parachute are displayed.
Location: Bait Al Falaj, Ruwi on Mujamma Street
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 8am – 1.30pm
Entrance Fees: RO 1 (adults), 500 Bzs (children) Fee
exempted for military personnel
Contact No. 24312642
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Nahkl Fort
Operated by the Ministry of Tourism, this restored Fort on
the Batinah coast contains an interesting display of
Historic guns. Located one hundred miles southwest of
Muscat, this fort was built between 1670 and 1680 to protect
a local oasis and trade routes passing through the regional
capital of Nizwa. The fort and a weekly goat auction market
every Friday attracts local Bedouin are reminders of the
past in an otherwise modern city.
Located: Nahkl town 1 ½ hrs from Muscat
Timings: Saturday - Thursday from 9am - 4pm
Contact No. 26781384
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Salalah Museum
This museum displays rich collection of inscriptions on
large stone slabs and rocks. Most of these inscriptions were
found in Khor Rori where excavations unearthed the Port City
of Sumharam. The ancient inscriptions are in southern Arabic
and were used in Dhofar and Yemen in the pre-Islamic times.
Ancient Dhofari inscriptions have also been found in many
caves in the region. Also a range of local artefacts and
costumes of Dhofar are also displayed.
More Info
These ancient sites - Khor Rori, Shisr, Ubar, Bilad and Wadi
Daika formed vital links in the ancient frankincense trade
route. Four other historical sites in Oman that enjoy world
heritage status are Bahla Fort, Bat Tombs, Wadi Al Ain and
the Al Maha Natural Sanctuary.
Located: In Salalah 1 ½ hrs from Muscat by flight or
10-12 hours by road
Timings - Saturday – Thursday from 7:30am -2:30pm
Entrance Fees: Free Entry
Contact No. 23294549
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Sohar Fort Museum
Opened in February 1993, it consists of six sections -
private facilities used by the inmates of the fort, exhibits
of the ancient copper trade in Sohar, tomb of late Sayyed
Thuwaini bin Said Al Busaidi (1866), an underground passage,
exhibits showing importance of ancient Sohar city, its
history of navigation and overseas trade with Canton city in
China, archaeological evidences of Sohar town and the events
witnessed by it.
Located: In Sohar 1 ½ hrs from Muscat
Timings: Saturday – Thursday from 9am – 1.30pm (from
October 1st – March 31st the museum opens from 9am – 1pm & 4
– 6pm)
Entrance Fees: RO 1 (expats), 500 Bzs (Omanis), 250
Bzs (children)
Contact No. 26844758
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