Know your wilayat: Rustaq

Where: Surrounded by the Al Hajar mountain range, Rustaq is in Al Batinah region and earlier was the capital of Oman.

What’s Special: There are two important architectural landmarks in Rustaq —the Hazm Castle and the Rustaq Fort. While Hazm Castle was built in the early 18th century, Rustaq Fort dates back to the 13th century. Rustaq Fort is nestled between four tall towers and has its own falaj water system.
Rustaq is also known for its healing warm springs, Ain Al Kasafa being the most popular one. One can also see abundant date palm groves and aflaj.
Wadi Bani Ghafar, Wadi Al Sahtan and Wadi Bani Awf are the three popular wadis. Rustaq’s wildlife nature reserve is home to more than 110 species of plants and animals.
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Livelihood: While people of Rustaq have different sources of livelihood, one of the main occupations is beekeeping. One can get the best quality of honey from Rustaq. Sale of Omani halwa is also quite common here. One can find fruits like apricots, plums, pomegranates and grapes, brought from Jabal Akhdar, being sold in the local markets here. Maintaining their traditional craft, people in Rustaq are also into weaving baskets made of date palm.

Local market: Rustaq Souq is one of the oldest markets in the Sultanate. Being the central market it is visited by people from the nearby villages.