Bait Al Zubair

Bait Al-Zubair is a private museum located in old Muscat city and contains relics from Oman’s military, social, and cultural past. It opened its doors to the public in 1998 and is founded and funded by the Zubair family. The family’s extensive collection of Omani artefacts such as weapons, khanjars, jewellery, household items and costumes are considered to be the finest privately owned collection that offers an insight into Arab and Omani heritage.

The Bait Al Zubair complex is an architectural icon. It consists of 5 buildings (Bait Al Bagh, Bait Al Dalaleel, Bait Al Oud, Bait Al Nahdhah and Gallery Sarah) and a garden, as well as a café and a gift shop. It has four floors of an ever-growing permanent art collection and is considered to be the most extensive art collection by Omani artists.

Bait al Dalaleel allows you to see how Omanis lived in rural and urban Oman over 100 years ago. Gallery Sarah is one of Oman’s houses of contemporary art and even allows local Omani artists to sell their artwork abroad. The gallery also doubles-up as a meeting place for artists. From the gift shop, you can choose from a hand-picked selection of handicrafts, books, postcards, jewellery, clothing, and much more. Head to the garden to see the barasti (traditional hut made of palm fronds), frankincense trees, and local herbs. There is also a model of a traditional Omani village which shows the Aflaj irrigation system used in Oman.