Welcome 2 Nizwa

Nizwa is an important area, with outstanding Islamic architecture located in the interior of Oman, some 180Kms from Muscat. A well developed city, it has a long history of scholarship and learning, housing many institutes for higher education. Nizwa is the gateway to the Sultanate's delightful interior region. The dramatic Jabal Akhdar mountain range, tiny mountain villages and impressive fortresses offer endless scope for adventures and culture-vultures alike. Nizwa itself has some surprises for those who take the time. Before we elaborate on Nizwa as one of the major cities in Oman, we will shed light on the city's position as an academic centre. Nizwa as a City of Knowledge : Omanis gave Nizwa the nickname 'Centre of Islam' because it was the historical residence for several schools of Islamic jurisprudence. Muslim scholars residing in the city were actively engaged in studying and writing on all aspects of Islam and many imminent scholars graduated from its institute.Nizwa was among the first Omanis cities to embrace Islam. Thus one finds mosques of a mixed blend of old and modernized architecture. Nizwa the city of Fortresses :- Nizwa is famous for its historic fortress which was built by Imam Sultan bin Saif (1649 – 1668 AD). The building process itself was said to take over 12years. The fortress included fortified towers with some areas for praying and administration, as well as seven potable water wells.The city has several other fortresses; Tanuf fortress, surrounded by three giant towers, is at the foot of Al-jebel Al Akdhar. Al Raaida fortress, on the other hand, has a strategic location, giving access to the valley leading towards Al-Jebel Al-Akhdar. This particular fortress was built by Immam Ahmed bin Said and his son Hilal. Other Features of Nizwa : Nizwa is famous for the manufacture of Omani halwa (local sweets). Perhaps the availability of red sugar in the city has been a catalyst in this regard. Nizwa is also renowned for its tanning and leather-work. In addition, the city has a handful of other crafts such as manufacturing gold and silver ornaments, swords and other traditional handiwork. Pots of Magic :Magic and mystery still surround the ancient walled-town of Bahla. Stories abound of people bewitched and turned into animals or enslaved. "Touch the walls of Bahla and your luck will change", an old saying goes - so you may first want to decide whether it would be for better, or for worse. Bahla is traditionally the pottery capital of Oman. Hidden in the winding back streets, beehive shaped-kilns are stacked high with clay pots ready for firing. Since Imam Mohammed bin Abi-Affan established Nizwa as a capital in 793 AD, Omani imams preffered the city over other candidates for the position of political capital of the nation. The Officials in charge thought that Nizwa was better fortified and safer as their administrative base and it thus become the seat of the Imam, who would thereafter remain in the city, only departing from it for urgent reasons. During the reign Imam Ghassan, Nizwa was locally reffered to as the ‘Centre of Islam’.