Fifth phase of restoration work at World Heritage site of Qalhat over

According to the Ministry of Heritage and Culture (MHC), it completed the restoration in cooperation with the World Monuments Fund (WMF) as element of the Qalhat Development Project which was launched in January 2013.

Since 2017, WMF and MHC are concentrating on stabilisation and conservation of the Great Friday Mosque at the site, an impressive structure with imposing architecture overlooking the sea and special, colourful, and varied decoration.

Since October 2013, the campaigns have focused on documentation of site situations, evaluation of supplies, technical coaching in the field and, to date, preservation of six buildings previously excavated, such as a funerary and a platform mosque, a hammam, a cistern, twin-homes, and a storehouse.

According to WMF, the ancient city of Qalhat, positioned on the Omani coast, was 1 of the most essential Islamic industrial hubs for Indian Ocean trade from its founding in the 11th century till the arrival of the Portuguese in the early 16th century.

Now an archaeological site but for 1 remaining structure – the mausoleum of Bibi Maryam (c.1280–1315) – Qalhat was the second capital city of the Kingdom of Hormuz.

It was substantial sufficient to be talked about by Marco Polo and visited by Ibn Battutah, two of the greatest explorers in history.

Information Source: Muscat Daily