Historically, Nizwa has always been the stronghold of poets, intellectuals and religious leaders. As such, it enjoys a special place in the hearts of the Omani people, who see it as a glorious city that played a major role in the progress of the country's civilization. Capital of the sultanate in the 6th and 7th centuries, it was one of the first cities to convert to Islam, as witnessed by the Shawadinah and Sa'al mosques, two of the oldest in the Muslim world, built in 623 and 629 respectively. Subsequently, from the mid-8th to the mid-12th century, Nizwa was the capital of several successive imams. It also enjoyed a flourishing period under the Ya'ruba dynasty, which ruled the entire country from 1624 to 1744. This powerful dynasty put an end to the Portuguese occupation, boosted trade, put a temporary end to internecine warfare between the coastal and inland tribes and encouraged the development of letters and the arts, of which Nizwa was the bastion. The Ya'ruba also encouraged the development of infrastructure and were, among other things, responsible for the construction of the beautiful castle of Jabrin (a few kilometers from Nizwa).Today, Nizwa is still a dynamic city with plenty of charm and interest. It is built on the banks of two wadis: Abyad and Kalbu. Its 8 km-long oasis encompasses the old town, whose bustle and main buildings are concentrated around the souk. Protected by ramparts, the latter are built in a similar tone and style to the fort next to it, a massive citadel among the most interesting and well-equipped in the country, with numerous information panels and a well-stocked museum on Omani culture. The modern city, on the other hand, stretches over some fifteen kilometers and boasts sufficient infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, shops, banks, etc.) to make your stay easy and pleasant.

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Pictures and images Nizwa

Dans le souk de Nizwa. clicksahead - Shutterstock.com
Petit déjeuner typique omanais. Sabino Parente - Shutterstock.com
Musiciens et danseurs célèbrent la fête nationale à Nizwa. Katiekk - Shutterstock.com
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