Travelling Around the Cities

Wilayat Muscat: Muscat has nine villages attached to it, these being Sidab, Haramel, Al Bustan, Al Jussa, Qantab, Yankat, Yiti, Al Khayran Al Sifa and Sifat Al Sheikh.

Wilayat Muttrah: It is said that the name Muttrah (a place to throw something down) comes from the presence of an anchorage for ships (i.e “throw down the anchor”). Another interpretation of the name is as of a place to “unload or put down goods or merchandise.” The Wilayat of Muttrah is counted amongst the most important of the six Wilayats in Muscat Governorate, on account of its ancient historical and cultural standing; for it was Oman’s ancient trading port and its suq was the principal source of the many and diverse goods relayed from the port to the other suqs of Oman. It is said that it was once also a fertile spot much cultivated with date palms and other trees, watered by aflaj and sweetwater wells from which the citizens, orchards and visiting ships were supplied.

Wilayat A’Seeb: The Wilayat incorporates a number of sites of historical interest, the most significant of these being the citadel of Al Khodh, Jifnin, Raseel, Al Kharas and Al Saleel Towers as well as the towers of Wadi Al Haya. It has two walls, one of which, Sur Jimma, proved useful in the defence of the township of Wadi Al Lawami 200 years ago. The second, Sur Al Rawia, known as Beit Al Rawia or Al Rawia House, consists of six chambers and a liwan. It was built some 150 years ago. Beit Al Awad or Al Awad House is at Al Khodh. Founded in 1886 AD, it has a floor area of 1,200 sq. metres. Wilayat Al Seeb has around 140 mosques.

Wilayat Quriyat: The Wilayat has 29 villages and towns, including the town of Quriyat itself. These are Al Hajer, Al Wasta, Al Ma’ala, Al Jinan, AI Sahel Al Ainein, Killiat, Affa’, Al Kerib, Al Ramla, Al Makhasrat, Al Shahbari, Dhaher Muhaisa, Hail Al Ghaf, Al Masfaa and the Municipalities of Daghmar, Mazar’ia Al Abraiyeen, Al Misfa’ah, Al Hiytan and Al Abayaa.

Wilayat Al Amerat: The Wilayat of Al Amerat with its 81 mosques was known in the past as Al Fatah and elsewhere as Al Mutahadamat, until the transformations of the Renaissance period brought with them a new and more appropriate name. This Wilayat has both archaeological and tourist landmarks, the most noteworthy of which are the lead mines, the red ochre quarry, Beit Saharij, Wadi Sireen Nature Preserve, Wadi Al Meeh (Al Lajam) the Ghar Hadhadha Cave, the steep zigzag incline of Jebel Saqif and the Safah Al Bab well at the fool of the mountain

Wilayat Bowsher: Situated between the sea and the mountains south west of Muttrah, its population is 149,506 persons spread over its 43 towns and villages. The most noteworthy of these are: Al Khoweir, Sultan Qaboos City, Al Ghubra, Al Adheeba, Ghala, Al Aa’lam (Information City), Al Sarooj, Bowshar Al Qadima (Old Bowshar) Bowshar Bani Umran, Al Ansab Sanab, Al Hamam, Al Awabi and Al Misfah.