SALALAH: No tour of Dhofar Governorate is complete without a visit to the historical town of Mirbat, with its picturesque waterfront dotted with crumbling, yet atmospheric, merchant homes, refurbished fort, and verdant mountaintops overlooking the landscape.
The Wilayat of Mirbat, located about 74 kilometres from the city of Salalah, is situated in the plain of the Samhan Mountain and overlooks the coast of the Arabian Sea.
Mirbat is named after the horse stables (Marbat al Khayl), as it was famous in the 9th century AD for horse breeding and exporting them to various Arab and ports and cities, in addition to trading frankincense and various handicrafts.
The wilayat is known for its many natural tourist sites, historical landmarks, and buildings with ancient architectural styles. The most notable is Mirbat Fort, one of the most important historical and archaeological landmarks in Dhofar. The fort, which overlooks the coast of the old Mirbat port, dates back to the 9th century AD.
The Ministry of Heritage Tourism (MoHT) reopened Mirbat Fort to tourists after restoration and maintenance work.
This effort is part of its aim to turn forts and castles into historical attractions for both local and international visitors. The fort houses a permanent exhibition that includes various historical aspects of the fort, traditional crafts of the local community, and displays on historical, geological, architectural, social, and economic aspects, as well as marine life using modern technology.
‘Sidow House’ is another significant historical landmark with unique architectural design that embodies traditional Arab architecture.
Built about 200 years ago, it was constructed from sedimentary stones, clay, and wood. Also known as ‘Nizwa,’ the house is currently being converted into a cultural center by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
The old Mirbat market, located near Mirbat Fort, is one of the oldest historical markets selling goods and merchandise imported from India, East Africa, and ports like Basra and Aden. These goods included dates, leather, fabrics, and various local products arriving through the old Mirbat port. Omani frankincense was the primary commodity in this market.
Mirbat is also famous for its beautiful beaches and bays, which are major tourist attractions due to their beauty and rare marine resources. The area experiences active tourism throughout the year, especially on weekends, attracting visitors for fishing and coral reef viewing.
Mirbat has several unique fishing spots, the most famous being abalone or ‘Ear of the Sea’ and shrimp, both of which are rich marine resources. Abalone is found only on the shores between Mirbat and the Sharbathat district in Shaleem and Al Hallaniyat Islands.
Samhan Mountain is a major tourist destination as one of the most important mountain ranges in the Dhofar Governorate, with its highest peak reaching 2,100 metres. The mountain is home to various types of natural plants, including acacia and frankincense trees. It is also known for its wildlife, including the Arabian leopard, Arabian gazelle, foxes, and the Nubian ibex.
At the summit of Samhan Mountain lies the ‘Hyur’ cave, one of the key tourist attractions due to its mountain location overlooking Mirbat. The Ministry of Heritage Tourism, funded by OQ Salalah Methanol, has developed the cave by providing seating areas inside and creating a pedestrian pathway. The second phase of development includes the construction of additional walkways and seating areas around the site, expanding and lighting the parking lot, as well as creating a camping area and platforms equipped with telescopes to observe wildlife in Wadi Samhan.
The ‘Tawi Atair Sinkhole,’ known as the ‘Bird Well,’ is one of the natural tourist attractions in the governorate. It is about 112 metres deep with a diameter ranging between 130 and 150 metres, making it one of the largest sinkholes in the world. It is located a short distance north of the administrative centre of Tawi Atair, and there is a paved road leading to the site with parking facilities.
In the Tawi Atair area, the ‘Tiq Cave,’ with a volume of approximately 170,000 cubic metres, is the second-largest cave in the world. It has at least six entrances, the largest being the western entrance and wall, visible from the top of the Tiq Sinkhole.
The cave can be reached through small, narrow paths and is about 14 kilometers from the Tawi Atair district. There is a paved road to the area around the cave, along with designated parking spaces.
The ‘Gravity Hill’ in Tawi Atair is another tourist attraction known for its unusual and rare phenomenon. Cars seemingly move uphill instead of down, drawing many visitors to experience this oddity. The area is located at the beginning of the Hashir Slope, on the road branching from the main road leading to the city of Mirbat.
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