Al Alam Palace

The Al Alam Palace (Arabic: قصر العلم‎ Qaṣr al-ʿAlam, "Palace of the Flag")[1] is a palace located in Old Muscat, Oman. It was used as a ceremonial palace by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.

View of the palace

History

Al Alam Palace, one of six sultanic residences of the monarch,[2] has a history of over 200 years, and was built under the watch of Imam Sultan bin Ahmed, the 7th direct grandfather of Sultan Qaboos. The existing palace, which has a facade of gold and blue, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972.[3] The inner grounds of the palace remain off-limits, but visitors are permitted to stop near the gates and take photographs.[4] Al Alam Palace is surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali Forts built in the 16th century by the Portuguese.[5][6]

The Palace is used for official functions and receiving distinguished visitors. In January 2012, the Sultan received Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at Al Alam Palace during her state visit to Oman.[7]

Architecture

Author Peter J. Ochs wrote: "When you visit the main gates of Al Alam Palace, it is unlike any other capital you will ever visit. The palace itself is elegant but humble in design, unlike the grandiose structures of other capitals".[8] Elegantly designed, it features many highly polished marble surfaces. Government buildings in the vicinity are white, with crenellated rooftops and wooden balconies in the traditional Omani style.[2] Though primarily a ceremonial palace, there is a guest villa at the palace with its own pool, spa and walled gardens.[9]

  • Al Alam Palace at Muscat.
  • Corridor at Al Alam Palace.
  • Administrative Building near Al Alam Palace.

See also

References
  1. Moosa, Matti (1997). The Origins of Modern Arabic Fiction. Lynne Rienner Publishers. p. 297. ISBN 978-0-89410-684-2.
  2. Thomas, Gavin (17 October 2013). The Rough Guide to Oman. Rough Guides Limited. p. 75. ISBN 978-1-4093-5065-1.
  3. Enchanting Oman by S Kay published by Motivate Publishing 1988, p. 27
  4. Walker, Jenny; Ham, Anthony (1 August 2016). Lonely Planet Oman, UAE & Arabian Peninsula. Lonely Planet. p. 313. ISBN 978-1-78657-305-6.
  5. Darke, Diana (14 November 2013). Oman. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-84162-471-6.
  6. Ricasa, Lourdes Odette Aquitania (28 December 2010). Running With Echoes of Desire. Author House. p. 440. ISBN 978-1-4567-0062-1.
  7. Oman News Agency (11 January 2012). "His Majesty receives Netherlands Queen in Oman". Times of Oman. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  8. Ochs, Peter J. (1 November 1999). Maverick Guide to Oman. Pelican Publishing. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-56554-687-5.
  9. Mckenna, Lindsay; Lovelace, Merline (2 June 2015). Course of Action: Crossfire: Hidden Heart Desert Heat. Harlequin. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-373-27923-4.

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