Historic Muscat: An Open-Air
Museum Embodying Oman’s Identity

Muscat, 8 Feb 2026 (ONA) — Historic
Muscat stands today as a complete cultural monument and a distinguished tourist
destination, with the National Museum at its heart and as its focal point. The
city’s iconic white houses, imposing walls, and formidable fortresses inspire
visitors, serving as a beacon of civilization whose influence has enriched the
history of the Arabian Gulf and western Indian Ocean for centuries. Through a
series of conservation and rehabilitation initiatives, alongside the creation
of new social, cultural, and recreational spaces, Muscat actively preserves its
historic character while solidifying its status as a premier regional
destination—a city alive with heritage and authenticity.

Jamal bin Hassan Al Moosawi,
Secretary-General of the National Museum, stated, “The Museum is
implementing the Historic Muscat Rehabilitation Project to transform the area
into an open-air museum with multiple venues and diverse experiences. This
includes its role as a national museum, alongside private and specialized
museums, historic palaces such as Bayt Al Greiza, and significant houses like Bait
Sayyid Nadir, Bait Sayyida Mauzna, and Bait Sayyida Aliya. The vision also
encompasses educational spaces like Al-Saidiya School and community-centric
urban oases such as Al-Saidiya Street and Al-Madbagha Street.”

In remarks to the Oman News
Agency, he elaborated, “Our rehabilitation projects for Historic Muscat
focus on restoring the historical houses under the Museum’s custodianship to
their original condition, as they existed prior to the introduction of
non-original additions using modern materials. For Bait Sayyid Nadir and Bait Sayyida
Muzna, a key focus is reviving the lost craftsmanship of producing traditional
materials for internal and external finishes, flooring, walls, and ceilings. We
are reprocessing these structures using the same traditional materials employed
in Muscat for centuries, which have proven their enduring value.”

“Another vital
aspect,” he added, “is the meticulous restoration of interior spatial
dimensions.” He emphasized that “Muscat’s architectural heritage did
not evolve in isolation but was shaped by external influences through
civilizational exchange—a factor carefully integrated into the rehabilitation
philosophy.”

He noted that Bait Abu Dina in
Muscat, originally a private residence that later came under the National
Museum’s ownership, had lost its historic character due to reconstruction.
“It is now being rehabilitated as a prototype for 21st-century Muscat-like
architecture, one that addresses contemporary needs while remaining faithful to
the traditional architectural principles of its era—in scale, proportion,
massing, and spatial organization—and which reinstates artisanal craftsmanship
in its finishes and interior fittings.”

Jamal bin Hassan Al Moosawi
detailed the National Museum’s multi-venue system and the ongoing
rehabilitation of Historic Muscat: “Beyond our purpose-built main
headquarters, the Museum oversees several landmark structures. Work on Bayt Al
Greiza, part of a dedicated preservation program, will continue through the end
of 2026, with its halls and facilities opening progressively this year.
Similarly, the remaining historic houses of the Al Busaidi sayyids, notably
Bait Sayyid Nadir and Bait Sayyida Muzna opposite Bait Sayyida Ghaliyah (the
French House), are at an advanced stage. Electrical, mechanical, security, and
climate control systems are being installed, to be followed by final interior
finishes and furnishing.”

Bait Sayyid Nadir, one of the
Al Busaidi dynasty residences in Muscat, is believed to have been constructed
in the first third of the 19th century. It is named after its last resident, Sayyid
Nadir bin Faisal Al Busaidi, brother of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Al Busaidi.
After his passing in 1971, the house briefly served as ministerial offices,
then as a museum, and later housed administrative offices for the Royal Estate
before its ownership was transferred to the National Museum. Along with Bait Sayyida
Muzna and the adjacent French House, it is among the last surviving historic
houses in Muscat.

“Concerning Muscat’s
exterior precinct,” Al Moosawi continued, “the Muscat Gate is being
rehabilitated as a Visitor Centre to orient guests to the varied cultural
experiences within Historic Muscat. It is scheduled to reopen by year’s end.
Furthermore, the Al-Saidiya School building, inaugurated in 1940 as a landmark
of formal education in Oman, is being meticulously restored to its former state
while preserving its original architectural and interior elements. The School
will resume an educational role, with a future focus on nurturing children’s
artistic, creative, and sensory appreciation. It will also house a specialized
museum documenting the school’s impact on Oman’s educational landscape, honouring
its graduates, principals, and teachers. Beyond this museum function, it will
host the nation’s first interactive children’s theater and specialized
classrooms for developing talents in drawing, traditional music, poetry, and
Arabic. This project, commenced last year, is expected to take four to five
years to complete.”

He outlined additional
development projects underway in the area: “A key community initiative is Al-Saidiya
Street, the grounds adjoining Al-Saidiya School. In the heart of outer Muscat,
this will become a lush garden intended primarily to inspire and serve the
local community, while offering tourists a space for respite and reflection
amidst the urban rehabilitation. Al-Saidiya Street will be revived as a model
garden or farm, reminiscent of Muscat’s past, particularly the Al-Tuwyan area
known for its farms and verdant spaces traditionally termed ‘Bagh’. Similarly,
Bagh Al-Madbagha in Al-Madbagha is being developed as a social, cultural, and
recreational hub for the community.”

He concluded by highlighting
collaborative projects: “In partnership with the Ministry of Culture,
Sports and Youth, we are establishing an Omani Fine Arts Wing at Al Mouj Muscat
to document the legacy of the nation’s pioneering visual artists. Additionally,
an intangible heritage project began last year and continues through 2026: the
comprehensive documentation of the historic names of Muscat’s inner and outer
neighborhoods. This endeavour aims to keep this living memory alive for the
local community and to share it with all visitors to Muscat.”

— Ends/Khalid