Historic family home turned into museum attracts tourist in Oman

Rustaq: Al Beit Al Gharbi in the village of Qasra, Wilayat of A’Rustaq in South Al Batinah Governorate, is a tourist and cultural destination.
Zakiya bint Nasser Al Lamkiya, founder of Al Beit Al Gharbi, has transformed her old family home into a museum, displaying many historical artefacts, including tools used in ancient Oman. She has put in a lot of effort to convert the house into a tourist and archaeological landmark in the wilayat.
“The idea of creating an archaeological house came from my passion for the past, its components and details, and from my keenness to preserve the archaeological tools left by our ancestors. The idea began two years back when I visited our house, abandoned and collapsing in some parts, including ceilings, and covered in dust.
“At that time, the idea came to my mind to turn the house into an archaeological site and fill it with old possessions. I restored the house to the best of my ability, and worked to dig out archaeological holdings, with the help of parents, neighbours and citizens of the wilayat, and be ready to receive visitors from inside and outside the Sultanate,” Al Lamkiya recalled.
“The house contains many antique collections, such as old books, coins, cooking utensils and old food utensils, such as coffee cups, handicrafts of all kinds, and tools for women’s adornments, such as perfume, incense and silverware, bracelets, also old mattresses, pottery, Omani Mandoos (boxes) and old bags, in addition to tools for the processing of dairy and dairy products,” she said.
She added that Al Beit Al Gharbi has become a significant attraction at exhibitions, tourism and cultural events held in the Wilayat of Rustaq and the Governorate of South Al Batinah.
Ali bin Abbas Al Ajmi, Director of the Tourism Department in the Governorate of South Al Batinah, noted, “Al Beit Al Gharbi has become a tourist and cultural destination for visitors, not only from within the Sultanate, but also from abroad.
“It is located in the centre of the wilayat and is about two kilometres from Rustaq Castle.
“The house participated in a number of tourist events that were organised by the Department of Tourism in South Al Batinah, and impressed all the visitors who came to the wilayat for its archaeological contents that reflect the old Omani life.”
He urged the citizens of the governorate to preserve such houses, which help in showcasing the heritage of Oman.
He noted that the World Tourism Conference, which was held recently, focused on the importance of preserving the nation’s heritage.