Saturday 19 / October / 2024
Quriyat: Al Mazar’e Village in the Wilayat of Quriyat in the Governorate of Muscat attracts many tourists, thanks to its natural beauty, picturesque green oases, abundant water and deep-rooted history.
Thirty kilometres away from the centre of the wilayat, the village is characterised by a towering mountain terrain with waters flowing amidst high mountains, and green spaces on the sides.
History seems manifested in its old houses, towers and forts.
The many neighbourhoods that make up the village are all located along a narrow plain stretch on the sides of Wadi Dhiqah, which divides it into two halves.
The village is surrounded by mountains on all sides, forming a wall punctuated by paved roads along “Al Jabal Al Aswad,” or the Black Mountain.
Al Jabal Al Aswad, known for its towering height, is a tourist destination that beckons lovers of nature, adventure and exploration in Al Mazar’e village.
Tourists also come to see the historical and archaeological ruins spread across all the neighbourhoods of the village. Some of these date back to the prehistoric period.
The village is well known for its range of crops, an important aspect of the economic life in the village. These crops include maize, barley and alfalfa, cowpea, papaya, banana, mango, lemon, sweet lime, melons, etc. It is also famous for different types of date palms, such as Al Naghal and Al Khnaizi.
The village is also famous because among all the wilayat’s villages, the date palm pollen season begins here first, thanks to its warm climate and abundance of water. Pollination and heat conditions start in Al Khazifa, Al Qadmi and Al Miznaj.
Traditional craft
The village is also famous for its many traditional craft industries, which rely on primitive ways in making mats, ropes and pottery.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Saleh Al Battashi, a member of the Municipal Council of the Wilayat of Quriyat, said, “Al Mazar’e Village is famous for old historical landmarks that reflect the past of the ancestors.
There are towers, castles and forts, including Al Hisan Fort, A’Dhahir Tower, Mansfat Tower, Al Hisn Tower, and Al Jazeer Tower, which overlooks the Wadi Dhaiqah track to Hail Al Ghaf. The village has many old mosques and houses in various neighbourhoods, such as Bait Al Qat’ei, Bait Al Hadid in Al Jazeer and Bait Al Abiya in Al Ghubaira. “There are a lot of old Aflaj, the ancient irrigation systems or water channels,” some dating back to the pre-Islam period. These included Falaj Al Qarya, Falaj Al Qayta’ei, in addition to Falaj Al Saih, Al Ghubaira, Al Jazeer, Mansfat and Al Mazra.
Sheikh Al Battashi pointed out that the village is home to Wadi Dhaiqah Dam. It has a tourist potential, including in the form of the Dam Park built above the dam lake. It almost looks like a natural attraction.
He also highlighted the government services available in the village. “Al Mazar’e Village enjoys prosperity, thanks to the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. It has all health, education and roads services.”
He added that the Directorate-General of Quriyat Municipality in Muscat recently expanded some internal roads, with one in Al Ghubaira Village and the second in Al Hisn Village. Also, most neighbourhoods of the village have been illuminated.
