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MUSEUMS

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
 

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.
 

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.

Location: 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
 

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
 

Bait Na’aman. Operated by Ministry of Heritage and Culture, this is a beautiful country house restored and furnished in original Omani style.

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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 
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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