![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KWDI5DUO45HFDMSMDU2SAGDV6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=ecd1dcd035eb5e4010f6315cb76a5f5df05ba592380886d84aab0cb3e6210b59&width=400&height=225)
On Fridays the souq opens at 6am
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NY2WWBEJ4BGFHCLDOVGBJCE3WY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d679cb742993ccec09b0cc0ce7526c027557b2a70b46ead037fd0b890e26c42&width=400&height=225)
A visitor strolls through the Nizwa marketplace in Ad Dakhiliyah governorate, Oman. All photos: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HOBRACZ3JZF3FCJ2B2W7XFPTQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=abb5a5245c2486dcae37aad2cc9bd13b838a3aec99394a12e2c822f1c37bcd14&width=400&height=225)
Nizwa was the capital of the sultanate in the 6th and 7th centuries, when it was a centre for trade and art
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HWYMKGBSKRD5TN74E6SVCTGVP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f447b78073d51ab554116a581452d8fc4e66bc1400ef5fa12c190ca6ea6b21d&width=400&height=225)
Nizwa is famous for creating the khanjar, the traditional, ceremonial blade worn by Omanis during official functions
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UXY72DTBTRBCJCRGPYXTAAS6WE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d7133485589273d70af40021ca3b9ecb2806c7bbd424a4bff4fcb6f515092e12&width=400&height=225)
The souq is open seven days a week with a break at midday
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BVY7QFNFO5FVTEY2SZA7AVGF4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=50350fceac68b91daf7ebfa71f3fd34cfda5113c1efef108ee70943d1c9960a7&width=400&height=225)
The souq is near the wadi and close to Nizwa fort
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LJZU2GBIXVCBFMKNKX24U4AYP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=62d554d50ed847c218b2a615e86038f867c9400da4e5f69e09ff6ba8b1ba215f&width=400&height=225)
Omanis meet to chat at Nizwa marketplace
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N6CYF5EOGZE4DM3SUKUEGWUGQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=77b1cfc1a55db5fd3ade274963d3a621ae338822ebd9d407802a0032efcc2467&width=400&height=225)
Stall owners in the souq sell meat, vegetables and handicrafts – the latter geared more to the tourist market
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BDGJX7EY4FC6VPI7CLL3J63IEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd9ba6a57288e947c67a21418acb9684be45b14c7f791244f2a703c395afeacd&width=400&height=225)
On Fridays there is a weekly cattle market where livestock are traded
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SMAGTZNP7FC2RMSQZ34W2DW2WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=af7e7729567c12e6b560e4f794774c4bd60a37f4f13cb29025d062bd4850b643&width=400&height=225)
The souq also features handmade pottery from nearby Bahla – an ancient town famous for its ceramics using local clay
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZPQLR6AUENGCZGNCHSEPQDFUYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ac679b378529bd6d6cab65ba2df21c48fa5e9da42efeb779ab729eb5584eca1&width=400&height=225)
A vendor sells dates at Nizwa souq
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KWDI5DUO45HFDMSMDU2SAGDV6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=ecd1dcd035eb5e4010f6315cb76a5f5df05ba592380886d84aab0cb3e6210b59&width=400&height=225)
On Fridays the souq opens at 6am
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NY2WWBEJ4BGFHCLDOVGBJCE3WY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d679cb742993ccec09b0cc0ce7526c027557b2a70b46ead037fd0b890e26c42&width=400&height=225)
A visitor strolls through the Nizwa marketplace in Ad Dakhiliyah governorate, Oman. All photos: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HOBRACZ3JZF3FCJ2B2W7XFPTQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=abb5a5245c2486dcae37aad2cc9bd13b838a3aec99394a12e2c822f1c37bcd14&width=400&height=225)
Nizwa was the capital of the sultanate in the 6th and 7th centuries, when it was a centre for trade and art
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HWYMKGBSKRD5TN74E6SVCTGVP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f447b78073d51ab554116a581452d8fc4e66bc1400ef5fa12c190ca6ea6b21d&width=400&height=225)
Nizwa is famous for creating the khanjar, the traditional, ceremonial blade worn by Omanis during official functions
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UXY72DTBTRBCJCRGPYXTAAS6WE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d7133485589273d70af40021ca3b9ecb2806c7bbd424a4bff4fcb6f515092e12&width=400&height=225)
The souq is open seven days a week with a break at midday
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BVY7QFNFO5FVTEY2SZA7AVGF4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=50350fceac68b91daf7ebfa71f3fd34cfda5113c1efef108ee70943d1c9960a7&width=400&height=225)
The souq is near the wadi and close to Nizwa fort
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LJZU2GBIXVCBFMKNKX24U4AYP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=62d554d50ed847c218b2a615e86038f867c9400da4e5f69e09ff6ba8b1ba215f&width=400&height=225)
Omanis meet to chat at Nizwa marketplace
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N6CYF5EOGZE4DM3SUKUEGWUGQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=77b1cfc1a55db5fd3ade274963d3a621ae338822ebd9d407802a0032efcc2467&width=400&height=225)
Stall owners in the souq sell meat, vegetables and handicrafts – the latter geared more to the tourist market
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BDGJX7EY4FC6VPI7CLL3J63IEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd9ba6a57288e947c67a21418acb9684be45b14c7f791244f2a703c395afeacd&width=400&height=225)
On Fridays there is a weekly cattle market where livestock are traded
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SMAGTZNP7FC2RMSQZ34W2DW2WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=af7e7729567c12e6b560e4f794774c4bd60a37f4f13cb29025d062bd4850b643&width=400&height=225)
The souq also features handmade pottery from nearby Bahla – an ancient town famous for its ceramics using local clay
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZPQLR6AUENGCZGNCHSEPQDFUYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ac679b378529bd6d6cab65ba2df21c48fa5e9da42efeb779ab729eb5584eca1&width=400&height=225)
A vendor sells dates at Nizwa souq
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KWDI5DUO45HFDMSMDU2SAGDV6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=ecd1dcd035eb5e4010f6315cb76a5f5df05ba592380886d84aab0cb3e6210b59&width=400&height=225)
On Fridays the souq opens at 6am
Photo Essay: A visit to Oman's historic Nizwa souq
Home to a weekly livestock market most Fridays, Nizwa's market is a tourist attraction too
![The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9e2159fa-e4db-4215-b498-6b3607b75bee.png?smart=true&auth=cf728de2f2d93afc214682199f23d53c844677eb59567fe99abdb1c7e9f03161&width=70&height=70)
The National
19 January, 2024
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