Nizwa is the
largest city in the Ad Dakhiliyah Region in
Oman and was the capital of Oman proper.
Nizwa is about 140 km (1.5 hours) from
Muscat.
The population is estimated at around 70,000
people including the two areas of Burkat Al
Mooz and
Al Jabel Al Akhdar.
Nizwa is one of the
oldest cities in Oman and it was once a
center of trade, religion, education and
art. Its Jama (grand mosque) was formerly a
center for Islamic learning. Nizwa acquired
its importance because it has been an
important meeting point at the base of the
Western Hajar
Mountains. Set amid a verdant spread of date
palms, it is strategically located at the
crossroads of routes linking the interior
with Muscat and the lower reaches of
Dhofar
thus serving as the link for a large part of
the country. Today, Nizwa is a diverse
prosperous place with numerous agricultural,
historical and recreational aspects. Nizwa
is a center for
date
growing and is the market place for the
area.
Mountains surround Nizwa from every side and
there are some outstanding mountain scenery
close by. In the winter from November until
March the climate is pleasant with
temperatures as low as 10 C in December. In
the summer, the climate is hot and dry with
temperatures reaching 50 C in July.
Precipitation is very low and concentrates
in the winter when an air mass of low
pressure causes rain to fall.
Nizwa Attractions
Nizwa Souk
In the centre of Nizwa, close to the fort and mosque, the souk lies hidden behind imposing sand-coloured walls. Enter through one of the enormous carved wooden doors and you’ll find a small village of traditionally designed buildings, each labelled to indicate the products they sell – Silver Souk, Fish Souk, Meat Souk . . . Although these buildings are all clean, well lit and renovated, the place remains full of atmosphere and traders conduct business as they have done for centuries. The souks are well laid out and vibrant with local colour, especially in the early morning. The shop owners are an unintrusive bunch and are happy to sit and drink coffee while you browse. In the silver and craft souk, you’ll find a mixture of old and new items made locally such as Bahla pottery, old wooden chests, silverwork from the different regions of Oman, antique rifles, and frankincense, as well as modern imports from India.
Nizwa Souk
Al Hotta Cave, Nizwa
Al Hoota Cave is located at the feet of the highest Mountain in Oman called Jebel Shams (sun peak) in Al Hamra district and still a part of Nizwa.
It was founded by shepherd around 70's and after carefully researched, it's revealed 2 main entries of the cave. it is 3km long with underground river. The highest peak can reach 800 above sea level. The cave humidity is high, it is full with stalactic and stalagmites and column. The stone is mainly limestone with some carbonate. In one part of the cave, it formed like a big pillar and create a huge lion-shape rock overlooks the bottom part of the cave.
Al Hotta Cave, Nizwa
Nizwa Fort
Nizwa Fort is the oldest in Oman. Although the building, as it stands, dates back to the mid 1600s, it has been built on a far earlier structure from the 1100s. It is surprisingly large and although it is not as visually impressive as others, it is one of the most interesting forts to visit. You can wander through the maze of passageways and rooms that were specially designed to confuse attackers – a glance at the map by the main entrance is useful to orientate yourself. The fort was the homebase of the Imam (the effective ruler of the interior) for about 300 years. The views from the upper levels show the sheer size of the oasis, with palm trees extending as far as the eye can see in several directions. It is also a good vantage point to see the town’s distinctive blue-domed mosque up close, as well as the surrounding Hajar Mountains. The fort is open from Saturday to Thursday (09:00-16:00) and on Fridays (08:00-11:00), and admission costs 500 baisas.
Nizwa Fort
Wahiba Sands
South of Muscat in the central region the Wahaiba Sand Desert cascades into to the sea while stretched along Oman’s length are kilometres after kilometre of empty sandy beach.
The Sharqiyah region with the famed Dhow (wooden boat) yards of Sur and scenic mountain valleys fringed with date plantations is perhaps the most compelling area in the north of Oman. Include the wonderful Wahiba Sand desert their inhabitants and this is a "must see" region.
Some of the coastal areas can be reached in a days turn-around from Muscat; to make the most of their charms most demand that you take a more leisurely journey.
Nizwa is one of the
oldest cities in
Oman and it was once
a center of trade,
religion, education
and art. Its Jama
(grand mosque) was
formerly a center
for Islamic
learning. Nizwa
acquired its
importance because
it has been an
important meeting
point at the base of
the Western Hajar
Mountains. Set amid
a verdant spread of
date palms, it is
strategically
located at the
crossroads of routes
linking the interior
with Muscat and the
lower reaches of
Dhofar thus serving
as the link for a
large part of the
country. Today,
Nizwa is a diverse
prosperous place
with numerous
agricultural,
historical and
recreational
aspects. Nizwa is a
center for date
growing and is the
market place for the
area.
The green mountains and beautiful coast can only do so much. Nature did its part. Isn’t time that we did something too? Governments job is to provide the infrastructure the city needs. It’s the private sectors and investors turn. Restaurants, malls, parks, worldwide standard hotels ( 10 year old apartment building don’t count for tourist accommodation nor does renting ur house during the season!).
CLEVELAND TRAVEL LIMITED, FL 3, NEW PREMIER HOUSE, 150 SOUTHAMPTON ROW, LONDON WC1B 5AL The domain name; Oman Holidays
.Org is owned by Shailesh Adalja
T/As SME Business Support,
Unit 3, 29 Middleton Road,
Manchester M8 5DT, UK and leased to Cleaveland Travel.
v04.03.2010 SL
RUW16.45PM
