QASR AL ALAM "THE ROYAL PALACE" OF MUSCAT IN OMAN,
The Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace is one such opulent building. Completed in 1972, this large modern palace is built into a rocky cove on the Muscat coast and is alongside Muscat Bay, a natural deep water harbour. The 16th century forts Al Jelali and Al Mirani on either side of the palace appear to stand guard over the new monument.
The huge building with a large suitable impressive central entranceway is flanked on
either side by two similar wings. It is set off to great advantage by a beautifully landscaped area with formal gardens sporting a variety of flowers, trees and shrubs. The blue and gold detailing on the main entrance archway is said to reflect the blue of the sea and the gold of the sunset.
The well-laid out intricately finished structure with rich trimmings represents the best of Omani architecture and craftsmanship. While the palace is a spectacular sight to behold in the mornings, it is even more so at night when the building and its surroundings are lit up highlighting the exquisite architecture. Although visitors can only view the exterior and experience the gardens, they will certainly not be disappointed with the views it affords at any time of day.
The Alam Palace is found in the old area of Muscat. You can walk right up to the gates for photos. Either side are forts and the colonnade of buildings either side of the entrance give it a really appealing setting. Now another Ministry is being built facing it, the area will be nicely 'balanced'. This is a ceremonial palace.
The palace complex incorporates a multitude of functional areas including head of state accommodation and leisure facilities, banquet hall, dining rooms, an auditorium and a conference centre, all of which cover a floor area of 32,000 square metres. Other buildings in the compound include a service wing and guard barracks. Although the palace is known as the office of Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman, it is mainly used for ceremonial occasions such as greeting and entertaining state visitors. The Sultan lives in Salalah.
Did you know? That the palace, was initially established as a present by the Sultan Assayed / Faisal bin Turki to the French Consul in Muscat in 1896. On January 29, 1992, Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the late French President François Mitterrand established a museum in the palace to preserve the historical Omani-French relations.
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