Bait Al Zubair Museum - An Enthralling Display
Summary:
Presenting all visitors with a glimpse into Omani culture and society is the Bait Al Zubair Museum, a treasure house of priceless artefacts that illumine facets of Oman's past. Here, visitors will be treated to enchanting exhibits of great beauty.
Content:
The Sultanate of Oman has inherited a historical legacy that dates back millennia and was even purported to be a frequent port of call for the legendary Sinbad the Sailor. Officially known as the "Sultanate of Oman", it was one of the first nations in the region to be introduced to Islam around the mid-7th century AD.
Situated in the capital city of Muscat, the Bait Al Zubair Museum should be part of any cultural itinerary in the country and its pride of place goes to showcasing the country's history in the art of traditional crafts, which formed much of Oman's trade prior to the discovery of oil in the region. These industries, once handed down from parent to child are declining due to modernity and the museum aims to address this fact.
Opened by the Zubair family in 1998, the museum spotlights the family's personal collection of artefacts that is considered to be one of the finest privately-held collections in the country. The museum is located in Muscat's historic "old town" section and the three buildings that comprise the premises harbour a unique history as well. The main building is known as "Bait Ai Bagh", which translates to "house of gardens" and it originally functioned as a family home built in the year 1914 and served as a meeting place for the political and society elite at the time. It now bears four galleries that showcase a variety of cultural artefacts including a range of traditional clothing of both men and women, fine examples of the Omani dagger known as the "khanjar", antiquated swords and other assorted weaponry, antique jewellery, household items, a fascinating coin collection and more. The first floor features ongoing temporary exhibitions as well as a library that holds an impressive collection of aged tomes spanning a variety of subjects. The garden outside is decorated with a barasti hut (made out of palm fronds), a souq (marketplace), stone houses, a boat display and a falaj, which is an ancient aquatic system of distribution.
Comprising part of the museum is the Bait Dalaleel, which is another house that has been restored and renovated to reflect traditional Omani architecture and design. It transports visitors to the turn of the twentieth century and provides an intriguing glimpse into the livelihoods of Omani citizens at the time. With a majlis (a meeting place), a bedroom and a domestic date storage area, visitors will be entranced.
Lastly, the Bait Al Oud, known as the "grand house" features a large hold primarily used for temporary exhibitions, as well as a reception area. On the first floor, visitors will discover early maps of European origin that depict the Arabian Peninsula. The second floor presents prints of the Arabian Peninsula as well as a collection of historic cameras and photographs of an older Muscat.
Visitors will enjoy walking around the museum and a caf© and souvenir shop located onsite will enable one to enjoy light refreshments as well as browse through a collection of handicrafts, photographs and other items that will make charming gifts to take home.
Sink into one of the luxury Oman hotels dotting the capital to fully round out your cultural immersion in Oman. The Ruwi Hotel Muscat in particular is an excellent example of a luxury hotel in Muscat that practices the famous Arabian hospitality and its elegant interiors afford the ideal escape for you to savour an unforgettable stay in the sultanate.
Presenting all visitors with a glimpse into Omani culture and society is the Bait Al Zubair Museum, a treasure house of priceless artefacts that illumine facets of Oman's past. Here, visitors will be treated to enchanting exhibits of great beauty.
Content:
The Sultanate of Oman has inherited a historical legacy that dates back millennia and was even purported to be a frequent port of call for the legendary Sinbad the Sailor. Officially known as the "Sultanate of Oman", it was one of the first nations in the region to be introduced to Islam around the mid-7th century AD.
Situated in the capital city of Muscat, the Bait Al Zubair Museum should be part of any cultural itinerary in the country and its pride of place goes to showcasing the country's history in the art of traditional crafts, which formed much of Oman's trade prior to the discovery of oil in the region. These industries, once handed down from parent to child are declining due to modernity and the museum aims to address this fact.
Opened by the Zubair family in 1998, the museum spotlights the family's personal collection of artefacts that is considered to be one of the finest privately-held collections in the country. The museum is located in Muscat's historic "old town" section and the three buildings that comprise the premises harbour a unique history as well. The main building is known as "Bait Ai Bagh", which translates to "house of gardens" and it originally functioned as a family home built in the year 1914 and served as a meeting place for the political and society elite at the time. It now bears four galleries that showcase a variety of cultural artefacts including a range of traditional clothing of both men and women, fine examples of the Omani dagger known as the "khanjar", antiquated swords and other assorted weaponry, antique jewellery, household items, a fascinating coin collection and more. The first floor features ongoing temporary exhibitions as well as a library that holds an impressive collection of aged tomes spanning a variety of subjects. The garden outside is decorated with a barasti hut (made out of palm fronds), a souq (marketplace), stone houses, a boat display and a falaj, which is an ancient aquatic system of distribution.
Comprising part of the museum is the Bait Dalaleel, which is another house that has been restored and renovated to reflect traditional Omani architecture and design. It transports visitors to the turn of the twentieth century and provides an intriguing glimpse into the livelihoods of Omani citizens at the time. With a majlis (a meeting place), a bedroom and a domestic date storage area, visitors will be entranced.
Lastly, the Bait Al Oud, known as the "grand house" features a large hold primarily used for temporary exhibitions, as well as a reception area. On the first floor, visitors will discover early maps of European origin that depict the Arabian Peninsula. The second floor presents prints of the Arabian Peninsula as well as a collection of historic cameras and photographs of an older Muscat.
Visitors will enjoy walking around the museum and a caf© and souvenir shop located onsite will enable one to enjoy light refreshments as well as browse through a collection of handicrafts, photographs and other items that will make charming gifts to take home.
Sink into one of the luxury Oman hotels dotting the capital to fully round out your cultural immersion in Oman. The Ruwi Hotel Muscat in particular is an excellent example of a luxury hotel in Muscat that practices the famous Arabian hospitality and its elegant interiors afford the ideal escape for you to savour an unforgettable stay in the sultanate.
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