Coinciding with the Al Dakhiliyah Festival, a visitor centre was opened at Bisya and Salut archaeological sites in the Wilayat of Bahla.
Eng Ibrahim bin Said bin Khalaf al Kharousi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage, said: "The visitor centre at the archaeological site of Salut and Bisya is an addition to the visitor centres in archaeological sites and world heritage sites. Surveys, excavations, studies, and archaeological finds confirm the existence of civilisation since the third century BC. Studies and excavations are still happening at the site and surrounding Salut.” He indicated that the ministry is preparing the Salut to be designated as the World Heritage Site.
Haitham bin Mohammad al Ghassani, Director-General of Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said: "The launch of the activities of Al Dakhiliyah Festival 2023 comes within the plan of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to promote tourism and heritage. The festival's programme includes activities in keeping with what is unique to the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah.”
Ahmed bin Salim bin Saif al Tobi, Director-General of Administrative and Financial Affairs in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, said: "We hope that Al Dakhiliyah Festival will be an opportunity for the visitors to learn about its attractive natural features.”
Ahmed bin Mohammad al Tamimi, Director of the Bisya and Salut Archaeological Site Department, said: "The establishment of the centre comes within the framework of preparing archaeological sites for tourists.”
He explained that the exhibition halls in the centre are divided into three main halls. The first represents the Bronze Age period, the second hall represents the Iron Age period and the Islamic period, and the third is the World Heritage Hall.
The halls include displays that shine light on archaeological studies in Bisya and Salut.
Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, launched the Al Dakhiliyah Festival on Thursday. It will continue till March 4.
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