Ruins of Zafar
The old frankincense city.
Juozas Šalna — CC BY 2.0 · https://www.flickr.com/photos/pukomuko/ — CC BY 2.0 · https://www.flickr.com/photos/130649623@N05/ — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Francesco Bini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Francesco Bini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Francesco Bini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Francesco Bini — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mohthearthlover — CC BY-SA 4.0
An archaeological park on the Salalah shore holding the ruins of the medieval city of Zafar, which gave the Dhofar governorate its name. It is part of the «Land of Frankincense» on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2000. Zafar became an important port for the frankincense trade after the decline of nearby Khor Rori, and famous travellers such as Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Ibn al-Mujawir and the Chinese admiral Zheng He visited it. The city declined in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for several reasons, among them the closing of the Khawr al Baleed lagoon, once a bay open to the sea, and invasions. Visitors follow paths between building foundations, walls and the great mosque, beside a calm lagoon lined with palms. The park also has the Museum of the Frankincense Land, with a history hall showing finds from the site such as carved column bases, and a maritime hall on Omani seafaring. One ticket covers the park and the museum, about 2-3 OMR per visitor guides; hours change in the khareef season and on holidays, so check before you go. The site is exposed, so mornings or late afternoons are best.
The old frankincense city.
Calm water and palms.
History and maritime halls.
Al Baleed, on the Salalah shore
Yes, one ticket covers the archaeological park and the Museum of the Frankincense Land, about 2-3 OMR per visitor guides.