OMAN: Al Mazare Village in Quriyat Beautiful Mountainous Nature, Deep-Rooted History

Quriyat-- Al Mazar'e Village in the Wilayat of Quriyat in the Governorate of Muscat is a tourist village that enjoys beautiful nature, picturesque green oases, abundant water and deep-rooted history. It is about 30 kilometers away from the center of the wilaya.

   The village is characterized by towering mountain terrain with flowing waters in the middle of the high mountains, green spaces on the sides that fascinate attention in a natural harmony with the historical authenticity, manifested in the old houses, towers and forts.

   The village is made up of many neighborhoods. They are all located in a narrow plain on the sides of Wadi Dhiqah, which divides it into two halves.

   The village is surrounded by mountains from all sides, which form a wall that punctuated by paved roads along "Al Jabal Al Aswad" or Black Mountain.

   Al Jabal Al Aswad known for its towering height is one of the tourist destinations for lovers of nature, adventure and exploration in Al Mazar'e village, in addition to historical and archaeological ruins spreading in all the neighborhoods of the village, some of which date back to the prehistory period.

   The village is famous for the existence of different varieties of crops, which represent one aspect of the economic life of the village, such as 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 famous for being the first among the wilaya's villages in the beginning of the date palm pollen season and heat due to its warm climate and abundance of water. Pollen and heat start in Al Khazifa, Al Qadmi and Al Miznaj.

   The village is also famous for its many traditional craft industries, which rely on primitive ways in their making, such as mat, ropes and pottery.

   Sheikh Abdullah bin Saleh al-Battashi, member of the Municipal Council of the Wilayat of Quriyat says, "Al Mazar'e Village is famous for old historical landmarks that reflect the past of the ancestors where there are towers, castles and forts, including Al Hisan Fort, along with A'Dhahir Tower, Mansfat Tower, Al Hisn Tower, and Al Jazeer Tower, which overlooks Wadi Dhaiqah track to Hail Al Ghaf. The village has many old mosques and houses in various neighborhoods of the village, 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 "ancient irrigation system or water channels," some of which date back to the pre-Islam period, such as 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 of Wadi Dhaiqah Dam. It has tourist potentials, including the Dam Park that is above the dam lake, which resembles a natural attraction.

He highlighted the government services, saying: "Al Mazar'e Village has enjoyed in this prosperous era under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, all health, education and roads services. He added that the Directorate-General of Quriyat Municipality in Muscat recently expanded some internal roads represented in the first way in Al Ghubaira Village and the second way in Al Hisn Village, as well as lighting most of the neighborhoods of the village.