BAIT AL-ZUBAIR MUSEUM

Since 1998, when the house was converted into a museum, the arts and popular traditions of the sultanate have been presented in this beautiful old home of Sheikh Al Zubair, a local dignitary who served three sultans as minister and advisor. Financed by its founders, the Al Zubair family themselves, the museum exhibits the private collection of Omani artefacts assembled by various members of the family over several centuries, and which is considered to this day to be one of the most interesting collections in the sultanate. With its café and souvenir store, the museum comprises 5 separate buildings. It extends outside into a garden featuring features of local culture, such as a reproduction of Oman's famous irrigation system: the falaj.

Bait Al Bagh is the main building. Once a gathering place for the Omani elite, it now houses several galleries displaying collections of jewelry, clothing, pottery, weapons and musical instruments. The second floor features stamps, a coin collection and a collection of ^16th-century manuscripts, all nostalgically recounting the sultanate's past.

Bait Al Oud is the former main residence of the Al Zubair family in the ^19th and ^20th centuries, now transformed into a temporary exhibition hall and reception area on the first floor.

Bait Al Nahdhah, this 4-storey building houses a theater dedicated to musical and theatrical performances, meeting rooms and an exhibition hall with the permanent art collection.

Bait Al Dalaleel, another traditional building, restored to showcase Omani life over 100 years ago. The interior features a majilis, an old bedroom, the Zafran café and a reading area.

Galerie Sarah, an art gallery exhibiting paintings and photographs by local and international artists. The gallery's name is a tribute to Sarah White, former artistic advisor and director of the Bait Al Zubair Foundation.

Since its creation in 2005, the Bait Al Zubair Foundation has also developed numerous projects linked to culture, heritage, the arts, the community, history and publishing. It is very active and supports young creators. Its aim is not only to safeguard Oman's cultural and religious heritage, but also to promote, exhibit, study and develop it by encouraging the production of young artists.