MUSCAT : The Governorate, in a series of posters under the theme ‘The city’s version told through its historical gates’, has thrown the spotlight on the ancient city of Muscat, a maritime hub, which owes much of its character to its formidable fortifications.
Among these, the city’s gates stand as silent sentinels, narrating tales of a bygone era.
These gates, integral to Muscat’s past, symbolize the city’s rich heritage and strategic importance as a vital seaport. Muscat’s four famous gates stand as testaments to its storied history: Al Bab Al Kabeer (Grand Gate), Al-Bab Al-Saghir (Small Gate), Mathaib Gate, and Bab Al-Waljat (Waljat Gate).
Muscat Gates
The gates of Muscat were not just architectural marvels but also key security features. Guards, earning four rupees a month, closed the gates every night three hours after sunset, usually after the Al-Ishaa prayer. Three shots fired from field guns signaled the opening of the gates for the Sultan’s private cars. After the main gates closed, pedestrians could still enter through a small door in one of the gates, but only with a permit and a lamp.
Al Bab Al Kabeer (Grand Gate)
The Grand Gate, originally known as Bab Al-Towian, underwent significant transformations over time. Initially a focal point for the city’s transportation network, it was expanded and restored during the reign of Sultan Said bin Taimur in 1932 to accommodate the growing traffic. Further modifications in 1979 allowed for two-way vehicular passage. This gate connects to the primary roads leading to Muscat’s suburbs and the Mutrah exit.
Al-Bab Al-Saghir (Small Gate)
Located on the southern side of the wall, the Small Gate serves as a main entrance similar to the Grand Gate but on a smaller scale. Positioned opposite the market and the Maqbool Club at Saidia School, this gate was a crucial access point in Muscat’s defensive wall.
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Bab Al-Waljat (Waljat Gate)
Located on the road opposite to the Ministry of Finance, it was the entry point for visitors from Sidab, Al Bustan, and Qantab.
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