Photos

All rights reserved. Use in any form (web, paper publication or otherwise) is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the author.

---------

This is the Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman. It is a fairly newly built mosque, having only been constructed in the 1990’s, but it is a fantastic structure.

The marble floors and outer cloistered walkways give a feeling of coolness and openness to the entire structure, with large open spaces in between the rooms and the main building. Each walkway is different, with one looking like the overturned hull of a boat, only in marble instead of wood.

What struck me most though was the white marble everywhere, intricate designs on the arches and walls and wonderful symmetry - all a fantastic white contrasted against an almost permanently blue sky.

As a woman, I had to wear a headscarf and ensure that my arms and legs were covered. As visitors, we were allowed (during designated times) to visit both the men's and women's prayer halls. The women's prayer hall was gorgeous, but the men's prayer hall was simply stunning.

A soaring, awe-inspiring place filled with marble pillars and archways around the walls, the men's prayer hall has an intricately sewn carpet all created as one expansive piece and a chandelier larger than any I had ever seen before filled the ceramic covered dome.

We were lucky and had the opportunity to visit twice and I wish I could have gone back more. Not just for the endless photo opportunities but to experience the grandeur and peacefulness of this beautiful place again.

Two other recent postings on TE can be found here and here

For more pictures of our trip to Oman, click here