Old Muscat to be transformed into open museum

2026-02-08 - 17:08

Muscat – The National Museum is transforming Old Muscat into an open museum under a long-term conservation and rehabilitation programme that links historic houses, palaces, gardens and educational spaces into a single cultural landscape. Once a fortified coastal town shaped by trade and exchange across the Arabian Gulf and the western Indian Ocean, Old Muscat is now being repositioned as a living heritage district. Restoration projects aim to preserve its architectural identity while reintroducing social, cultural and community functions that keep the historic quarter active and accessible. Jamal bin Hassan al Mousawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, said the aim is to create a network of sites offering varied experiences. “We are working to rehabilitate Old Muscat as an open museum with multiple locations,” he said. Key sites include Bait al Jariza, several historic houses of the Al Busaidi family, and public spaces such as Bagh al Saidiya and Bagh al Madbagha. Mousawi said restoration works prioritise returning buildings to their original condition by removing modern additions and reviving traditional construction methods. “We are restoring these houses using materials and techniques that have been used in Muscat for hundreds of years and have proven their effectiveness.” Mousawi noted that Muscat’s architecture evolved through cultural exchange and external influences, a factor reflected in the rehabilitation process. Abu Deena House, which lost much of its original character through reconstruction, is being reworked as a contemporary model rooted in traditional principles of scale, proportion and craftsmanship. Among the most significant restorations are Bait al Nader and Bait al Muzna, two of the last remaining historic houses in Muscat, alongside the adjacent Bait Ghalia. Dating back to the early 19th century, Bait al Nader later served as offices and a museum before coming under the National Museum’s care. Both houses are now in advanced stages of technical installation, with interior finishing to follow. Beyond residential heritage, Muscat Gate is being redeveloped as a visitor centre to orient guests to the cultural experiences of historic Muscat, with reopening planned by the end of this year. The Saidiya School, from 1940 and a landmark in formal education in Oman, is also under restoration. It will resume an educational role, housing a museum on its legacy, an interactive children’s theatre and classrooms focused on arts, language and creativity. Complementing these sites is Bagh al Saidiya, a community garden inspired by the historic farms that once defined neighbourhoods such as Al Tuwayan. Designed primarily for local residents, it will also offer visitors a place to pause and reflect on Old Muscat’s careful renewal, where preservation and everyday life meet.