Old Watch Tower Umman Aracımla Umre ve Arap Yarımadası Gezisi Bölüm 12 360° VR video

This video is the second part, connected to the previous episode, episode 11. We have to cut our visit short as it's closing time at the National Museum, and instead we explore the Palace and the pleasant area in front of it. Afterwards, we climb the old watchtower. We finish the day and continue our museum tour the next day. Old Watch Tower The tower is located on a steep, rocky hill in Mutrah, Muscat's most vibrant and historic commercial district, near the famous Mutrah Corniche and the historic Mutrah Souq. Its purpose was to detect ships, pirates, or enemy forces approaching the port from the Gulf of Oman in advance. This tower wasn't a standalone structure. It formed a network with the massive Mutrah Fort, Al Jalali, and Al Mirani forts, ensuring Muscat's security. In times of danger, fire or light signals would be sent from this tower to instantly alert the other forts and the city's defenses. The tower's origins date back to the 16th century (1507-1650), when the Portuguese controlled the Omani coast and sea trade routes. The Portuguese built these watchtowers and forts using the natural rock formations in the region as foundations to secure Muscat's deep-water port and the spice/silk route trade between India and Europe. After Omani forces, led by Imam Sultan bin Saif, completely expelled the Portuguese from the region in 1650, the tower came under Omani control and was restored in traditional Omani military architecture, continuing to be used for centuries. National Museum The museum was established by royal decree issued by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the architect of Oman's modernization period, and opened its doors to visitors in 2016. It is located in Old Muscat, the historical heart of the capital, directly opposite the magnificent Al Alam Palace, which we just featured on the cover. The museum is a vast time tunnel stretching from the first traces of human life on the Omani peninsula (2 million years BC) to the present day. It houses 14 permanent galleries. Some of the highlights include: Oman was a maritime empire. Here you can see giant models of traditional Omani ships (dhows), ancient navigation instruments, and stories of Omani seafarers. The functioning of the thousand-year-old ingenious water canal system that made life possible in the middle of the desert, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is on display. Traditional Omani clothing, daggers (Khanjar), silverwork, and details of the transition from nomadic Bedouin culture to settled urban culture are featured. The arrival of Islam in Oman is showcased, along with preserved rare handwritten Qur'ans and examples of calligraphy. Al Alam Palace 1. A 200-Year History and Sultan Qabus' Touch The area where the palace is located actually has a history spanning over 200 years. Initially, there was a mansion built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed bin Said (Sultan Qaboos's great-great-grandfather). Modern Reconstruction: The futuristic and iconic modern palace design we see in the photograph today was completely rebuilt in 1972 by the legendary leader Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who ushered the country into the modern age. 2. Groundbreaking and Extraordinary Architecture Palaces in the Middle East are generally known as closed structures hidden behind massive walls, invisible from the outside. Al Alam Palace completely shatters this perception: Gold and Turquoise Columns: The most striking feature of the palace is the gleaming gold and turquoise conical columns rising on its facade. This color choice has a very original style, more modern and somewhat "art deco" inspired than traditional Islamic architecture. Openness and Trust: The palace symbolizes openness and trust between the Omani people and the government. Instead of massive concrete barriers or impenetrable iron walls, it sits at the end of an open and inviting square where visitors can walk right up to it. 3. Strategic Location (Key to the Bay) The palace is located deep within Muscat's safest and most protected bay. The sea rises directly behind the palace, and to its right and left are two massive Portuguese forts: Al Jalali Fort and Al Mirani Fort. The palace is practically positioned right in the middle, under the protection of these two historic forts. This is not the Sultan's daily residence. The Sultan uses it primarily to host foreign heads of state, hold official ceremonies, and conduct diplomatic receptions. (For example, Queen Elizabeth II and the President of France have been hosted here in the past). Follow us on our social media accounts. Twitter   / asarialem   Instagram   / asari_alem   Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@asari_alem?la... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...