Nizwa - City of Oman

Nizwa is the largest city in the Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Oman proper. Nizwa is about 140 km from Muscat.

Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman and it was once a center of trade, religion, education and art. Its Jama was formerly a center for Islamic learning. Nizwa acquired its importance because it has been an important meeting point at the base of the Western Hajar Mountains. Set amid a verdant spread of date palms, it is strategically located at the crossroads of routes linking the interior with Muscat and the lower reaches of Dhofar thus serving as the link for a large part of the country. Today, Nizwa is a diverse prosperous place with numerous agricultural, historical and recreational aspects. Nizwa is a center for date growing and is the market place for the area

Nizwa was the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries AH. With its deep connection to the root of Islam, Nizwa possesses a number of renowned mosques, such as Sultan Qaboos Jama, So'al Mosque built in the 2nd century AH, Ash-Shawathinah Mosque in Uqr and Ash-Sharja Mosque. There are also Al-Ain Mosque, Ash-Sheikh Mosque and Shuraij Mosque in Tanuf built in 377 AH.

In the early 1950s the large round tower of the ancient fort built around 400 years ago in the center of the town was bombed and rocketed by the British Royal Air Force who were called in to assist the then reigning Sultan, Said bin Taymour in suppressing a revolt by leaders of the interior Imamate of Oman. The conflict was driven by a struggle for shares in the newly discovered oil wealth.

Nizwa has become a more modern city since 1970 under the reign of Sultan Qaboos. Improvements include connections to Muscat via a two-lane highway which has increased tourism. Communications have been improved to include broadband access and there is a substantial hospital. It is also a hub for education including a Technical College, College of Applied Sciences, a private University, and the Training academy for the Royal Oman Police. There are now four hotels and tourism is promoted in the area.

Mountains surround Nizwa from every side and there are some outstanding mountain scenery close by. In the winter from November until March the climate is pleasant with temperatures as low as 10 C in December. In the summer, the climate is hot and dry with temperatures reaching 50 C in July. Precipitation is very low and concentrates in the winter when an air mass of low pressure causes rain to fall.