Muscat: The Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism (DGHT) in Dhofar Governorate opened on Tuesday the “Communication of Generations” museum and “Koofan Heritage House” under the auspices of Tarik Khalid al Hinai, Wali of Taqah.
Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Abdullah al Abri, Director General of DGHT, said the opening of the first ministry-licenced private museum and the first heritage lodge in the governorate aims at introducing the cultural heritage and boosting the historic tourism, which has recently witnessed remarkable boom.
In a statement, Al Abri emphasized the significance of utilizing investment opportunities in those heritage and green inns that come as part of the Ministry’s endeavour to grant an additional value to the tourism sector by making fruitful use of available heritage components.
The newly inaugurated house is converted into a housing lodge after several renovations, making it a tourist attraction for visitors wishing to experience the old neighbourhoods of the wilayat and to explore the Omani old architectural designs.
Meanwhile, the old neighborhood houses Taqah Castle, which was built in the nineteenth century during the reign of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal al Said (1913-1932), Al Askar Tower- the government’s military headquarters to protect and monitor the wilayat, and the historic Shaikh Al Afif Mosque, where people used to perform their religious rituals.
The old neighbourhood enjoyed a vital, social and economic character in the bygone ages as the people used to engage in their social and commercial activities under a big tree situated before the castle.
The Museum of “Communication of Generations' ' - first private museum in the Governorate of Dhofar includes four sections, namely, the outer courtyard that displays local trees, including frankincense, coconut palms, sagots and kilts. It also includes a set of old-styled windows, the Ghanja ship featuring the maritime heritage and several types of ancient fishing nets, and stones used in construction in the past. The second section is named “ Reception Hall'' , the third “ Umm Salim'', while the fourth is called “ The Grand Hall'' .
Faisal Salim Koofan, Supervisor, said the 150-year old House is counted one of the well-designed inns in the wilayat in terms of the unique architectural design, the general shape and the high ceiling of the House.
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