As the National Museum in Muscat gets ready for a ‘soft opening’, it was kind of its designer Jasper Jacob to show me around the building and galleries, with explicit no photograph instructions (difficult to resist)!.
Its state-of-the-art interior will enable the contents, most of which are nationally focused unlike some other major museums in the Gulf whose approach is largely external, to stand out. With a focus on Oman’s Pre-History, Maritime Heritage and more, balanced with an overview of ‘Oman’s Renaissance’ under Sultan Qaboos; it illuminates Oman for residents and visitors. The museum’s interactive displays and an area for changing exhibits means this will be yet another superb building in Muscat to visit frequently.
Is it open yet? I really have to go if it is!
No, a room was put together for the ‘opening’. The building is excellent and the displays will enable some of the stored treasures of Oman to be shown. They will be having a remarkable original mosque feature and a range of boat models organised by the Gulbenkian Museum (I think Im right in their role). I guess that it will be late summer before its open – a visit will be a ‘must’.