Al Hamra & Misfat al Abriyeen, Oman, January 6, 2023 | The old and traditional Oman!

Tucked in at the foot of the Hajar Mountains some 40km northwest of Nizwa and 20km north of Bahla Fort (see my previous video) lie several of the Ad Dakhiliyah region's most memorable attractions: Al Hamra, one of Oman’s most atmospheric traditional towns, and Misfat al Abryeen, one of its prettiest villages. It’s also worth making a short detour to the impressive Al Hoota cave nearby (will feature in my next video). Watch my Oman playlist:    • Oman 🇴🇲   Magical Al Hamra, a 400-year-old town, is one of the best-preserved old towns in Oman, with a warren of stony, rubble-strewn alleyways lined with endless traditional mudbrick houses tumbling down the hillside to the idyllic oasis below; it's hauntingly time-warped, although as throughout the rest of Oman these old dwellings are now being systematically abandoned. Much of the pleasure of a visit here simply consists of getting lost amid the winding streets, although there are a couple of low-key attractions to head for on the main street which runs through the bottom of the old town. Bait al Safah is a kind of living museum of old Oman occupying an exquisitely restored traditional house done up with old artefacts and traditional furnishings. It gives a nice impression of what these houses might originally have looked like. Notable for both its traditional architecture and agriculture, Misfat Al Abriyeen is an Omani oasis village, that has been a self-sustaining cohesive community based on the ancient falaj irrigation systems for at least 2000 years. Misfat al Abryeen (often called Misfat or Misfah) is one of the prettiest traditional villages in Oman. Here you'll find a marvellous warren of twisting lanes, covered passages, gateways and meandering flights of steps, all of which bring you down to the falaj which runs below the village, surrounded by lush bougainvillea, banana palms and other greenery. It's also possible to scramble up the rocky hillside to the picturesquely ruined watchtower which stands above the village, called the Rogan Castle on maps, and which is said to be over a thousand years old. But most simply take photos of it from the village like I did. https://www.jeandar.net Music: Jean Dar - Astral Light Album: Milena 37,2° C https://www.jeandar.com