Grand Mosque is built on a site occupying 416,000 m2 (4,480,000 sq. ft.) and the complex extends to cover an area of 40,000 m2 (430,000 sq. ft.), the newly built Grand Mosque was inaugurated by Sultan of Oman on May 4, 2001.
Five minarets have been built around the premises of the mosque; the main minaret is 90 meters (300 feet) high.
The prayer hall is square in shape and 74.4 by 74.4 meters (244 by 244 feet) has a central dome rising to a height of 50 meters (160 ft.) above the floor, the dome is embellished spectacularly from the inside and it is a major tourist attraction in itself, the main Musalla (Prayer Room) can hold over 6500 worshippers.
From the Grand Mosque, we drive through the ministries and embassies area and along Beach Street to the fish and vegetable market, where local people trade fresh fish and seafood.
From the fish market, it is just a short drive to Mutrah Souq, Oman's largest traditional souq. Muttrah Market (Souq) is one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years, it is located adjacent to the harbor of Muscat and has seen an immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on the way to India and China, it was named after darkness because of the crowded stalls and lanes where the sunrays do not infiltrate during the day and the shoppers need lamps to know their destinations, the name of the market has been drawn specifically from the part that extends from Al Lawatiya Mosque to Khour Bimba where the place is really full of stores and stalls and the narrow area of lanes does not allow the sunlight to enter.
From Muttrah Souq we visit Bait Al Zubair Museum. For a fine display of Omani culture and history and information about the Royal Family.
Continue your trip to visit old Muscat and see Al Alam Palace, which has a history of over 200 years, and was built under the watch of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th direct great-grandfather of Sultan Haitham, the existing palace, which has a facade of gold and blue, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972, the inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits, but members of the public are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs, the Palace is used for official functions and receives distinguished visitors.
From there, visit the Royal Opera House. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman, has always been a fan of classical music and arts. In 2001, the sultan ordered the building of an opera house, and it was officially opened on October 12, 2011, the Royal Opera House reflects unique contemporary Omani architecture, and has a capacity to accommodate a maximum of 1,100 people. The opera house complex consists of a concert theater, auditorium, formal landscaped gardens, cultural market with retail, luxury restaurants, and an art center for musical, theatrical, and operatic productions.
