Dagli antichi forti ai wadi turchesi e alle avventure costiere, l'Oman fonde storia e natura. Unitevi a Lilly Douse mentre esplora i luoghi di Mascate, Nizwa, Wadi Shab e oltre.
In collaborazione con Media City
ALTRE INFORMAZIONI : http://it.euronews.com/2025/12/31/grand-voyager-alla-scoperta-delloman
00:04From my base in Qatar, I travel the world to discover incredible places filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way I meet the people, taste the flavours and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:20Today I'm travelling from Qatar to a land of coastlines and ancient heritage.
00:31I'm here in Oman, a country known for its grand mosques, historic forts and rich culture.
00:39In this episode I'll be discovering Oman's iconic landmarks, its drastic landscapes and the stories that give it its identity.
00:48First up on my travels is the country's capital, Muscat.
00:54It's home to one of Oman's most recognisable landmarks, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
01:00Here I'm meeting Sepede, a local tour guide.
01:04So Sepede, this is the Grand Mosque. What is its significance in Oman?
01:10Actually it was a gift from Sultan Qaboos to the nation and it was opened in 2001.
01:15So the entire mosque can accommodate up to 20,000 of four shippers.
01:22As we wander around, Sepede explains how the mosque blends Islamic and Omani design.
01:28Featuring a 50 metre tall dome, 90 metre minaret and an array of arches and courtyards.
01:34So here we are inside the Grand Mosque. It is overwhelming how huge it is. And this carpet is what you notice first.
01:42Exactly. This is the main highlight of the mosque. It was the biggest hand-woven one-piece carpet in the world.
01:50600 people, they've woven it in four years. 4,200 square metres and it's 21 tons.
01:56The mosque is known for its open door policy, allowing visitors to explore during set hours.
02:03It's one of Muscat's must-see landmarks and a highlight for anyone visiting the capital.
02:09Next up on my tour, it's time for a spot of shopping.
02:12We are heading to Mutra Souk, one of the oldest marketplaces in the world.
02:18The main thing I would recommend is the frankincense.
02:22Frankincense. They call it Loban, which is the souvenir of Oman.
02:26Frankincense comes from the sap of local boswellia trees, which is steam distilled to produce essential oil.
02:32It traditionally is burned as incense, but is also eaten for its medicinal benefits.
02:42As we travel further into the soup, we discover a whole range of goods on display,
02:48from cashmere scarves to traditional clothing and silver jewellery priced by weight.
02:55No trip to Oman is complete without sampling the local cuisine.
02:58And after a day spent exploring the city's most beautiful corners,
03:03we stop at Ramsa restaurant, where a feast of delicious dishes awaits.
03:08Camel meat, which you should have it with Omani bread and honey.
03:13You're going to try it, you will love it.
03:15And this is mishkaq, and that's the mandi chicken.
03:18So which one you're going to try first?
03:20Which one am I going to try?
03:22I would like to try, let's try the shua.
03:25The shua.
03:26I sample each dish, savoring the unique flavors of Omani cuisine,
03:31and finish with some sweet treats before the final stop on our tour.
03:36Welcome to the Royal Opera House.
03:39Here is the biggest opera house in GCC.
03:42And the third one in Arab region, after Egypt and Syria.
03:48I mean, it is very grand, look at the space.
03:51Yeah, it's really, look at the design, which is very impressive.
03:54Sepi Day guides me through the Opera House, highlighting its key features.
04:00The grand entrance, a remarkable collection of musical instruments gifted to the Sultan,
04:06and the stunning Theatre Hall.
04:08I can only imagine how a performance is here with such a huge venue and a beautiful stage.
04:13Oman is a country full of history, and so I am heading to the Oman Across Ages Museum, where I am meeting with Haitham Al-Hina'i, cultural relations administrator at the museum.
04:27Oman's history can be divided into four eras, with the first dating back over 800 million years ago.
04:40Oman is here in Oman, and also we have elephants.
04:43So many and many animals do not exist anymore, but in the old days we have it here in Oman.
04:48So here you are going to see many evidence.
04:50Can I walk on it?
04:51Yes, you can walk, it's okay.
04:53I can walk across the ages.
04:55Moving forward to human settlements in Oman, Haitham explains how remains found in ancient graves reveal the daily lives of early settlers,
05:03along with the animal species that once shared their environments.
05:08So Lily, we are done from the stone era, and we move to the bronze era.
05:14In bronze era, we have a new civilization, they call it Majan.
05:19And Majan, it means the land of bronze, and it was located in different era in Oman.
05:27Oman was famous for its rich copper resources and advanced shipbuilding skills.
05:33The region played a vital role in trade, exporting copper and stone to Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.
05:44Haitham tells me more about the country's ancient dynasties, which were dependent on Oman's maritime power, building forts to protect its towns and trade routes.
05:55Guided by one of the world's oldest dynasties, the nation later modernized rapidly under Sultan Qaboos.
06:02To experience Oman's history firsthand, I'm visiting Niswa Fort, one of the country's most iconic landmarks, built in the 17th century as a home for the ruler of the country, known as the Imam.
06:23I'm meeting with engineer Hatim Ambusiadi, executive director of the fort.
06:30Hatim leads me through the fort's entrance.
06:33And while the walk feels effortless, it quickly becomes clear just how carefully fortified and strategically designed this historic stronghold really is.
06:42This is the original and it's built with the material we call it here in Oman, Saaruj.
06:49Saaruj.
06:50Yes, it's burned mud mixed with rocks.
06:53Very strong.
06:54Very strong, yes.
06:55And you have to burn it under 850 degrees and it takes from 14 to 21 days to work as strong as a cement.
07:03That's why this fort here took 12 years to be built.
07:10The fort is a huge circular tower built on solid rock, could withstand cannon fire and offered views in every direction.
07:18Inside, narrow corridors, hidden doors and false staircases created a clever defence system to stop intruders.
07:25It's remarkable to imagine the skill and complexity involved in constructing such a formidable stronghold.
07:40At the top, sweeping views over Niswa, date palms and distant mountains show why this vantage point was so important for defending the city.
07:50And here you're surrounded by the mountains.
07:59By the mountains, yes.
08:00It's 360 degree views of mountains.
08:02Exactly.
08:03So you have one way in, one way out.
08:05So easy to spot the intruders when they come.
08:08Next we head into the castle.
08:11Once home to rulers and officials, where open living quarters, meeting rooms and courtyards,
08:17reveal how governance and daily life balance defence and administration.
08:35We also visit the Imam's residents, whose simple furnishings reflect both leadership and modesty.
08:41Niswa Fort and Castle provide a window into Oman's past, leaving a lasting impression of the city's history, culture and enduring spirit.
08:57Oman's natural landscapes are as dramatic as its history.
09:01Tucked between Oman's dramatic cliffs, Wadi Shab is a hidden oasis, brimming with turquoise pools and cascading waterfalls.
09:08Today, I'm exploring this natural wonder with Abdullah, the Oman Raw explorer.
09:15Hey.
09:16Abdullah, hello.
09:17Nice to see you.
09:18Welcome.
09:19Thank you very much.
09:20What incredible scenery behind us.
09:21Yeah, this is, we are now in Wadi Shab, so where we will go to see the Wadi.
09:27First, we need to take a boat from here to the other side, and then we will do the hike to the nice pool up there.
09:34To get across the water, we board a boat for a very short ride before joining a hike that leads through a lush canyon with shaded paths and natural limestone pools along the way.
09:46Here is the donkey. The local, they use the donkey here for the transportation, you know, from here up to the old village. They used to live there, but not anymore.
10:02Though the village is now abandoned, Wadi Shab remains a magnet for travelers in search of a hidden mountain oasis. Strolling past its crystal clear pools, it's easy to understand why adventurers from around the world are drawn here.
10:20Some pools are famous for adventure, like this one, which hosted a Red Bull cliff diving competition.
10:27So they come here in 2012, they organized cliff diving, they jump from this cliff.
10:31Oh, not from here, but from up there.
10:33From up there, yes. How, maybe around 27 meters high, yeah.
10:38Hidden waterfalls, emerald pools and towering cliffs create a paradise in the heart of Oman.
10:45Along this hike, countless hidden gems await, with even more stunning Wadi's to explore in the surrounding area.
10:54Something you really can't miss out on when you're in Oman is getting out on their crystal clear waters.
11:00So that's exactly what I'm doing.
11:03I am boarding a small boat operated by GCC Tours, which offers boat trips from Muscat Port.
11:10The sea was beautifully calm and turquoise in color.
11:14As we made our way into the open waters, the captain quickly spotted the dolphins.
11:20Soon we were surrounded by them, their sleek bodies cutting through the water with ease.
11:26The dolphins swam alongside the boat, leaping and diving in smooth, controlled motions.
11:33It was incredible to watch them up close, moving effortlessly through the sea.
11:38Oman is full of surprises. It's beauty, it's peace and it's people.
11:45And of course, it's dolphins. There's so much to explore here and I really haven't touched the surface.
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