Muttrah Port

Take a moment to enjoy the remarkable panorama in front of you. What you’re looking at is not just a port, but one of the oldest natural maritime shelters on the Arabian Peninsula. For more than two thousand years, these sheltered coves brought wealth to Muscat, offering ships excellent protection from storms and strong winds. There is also a more mysterious explanation behind this legendary safety. Local stories speak of a benevolent djinn said to guard the entrance to the harbour, hidden somewhere within these cliffs. A djinn is a supernatural being from Arab and Islamic traditions, distinct from humans and angels. According to belief, djinns were created from smokeless fire and, like humans, have free will: they can be helpful, neutral or harmful. They are thought to live in an invisible world alongside ours, but may sometimes reveal themselves, take another form or influence places and events. In popular culture, djinns are often linked to deserts, mountains, ruins, water sources and remote places, and they play an important role in the legends and oral traditions of Oman and the wider region. Now, look back to the port below. Today, it still plays an important civilian role, welcoming cargo ships, service vessels and cruise liners. Nearby is also a base of the Royal Navy of Oman, a strictly military zone closed to the public, responsible for coastal surveillance, maritime security and the protection of key sea routes. About 36 kilometres to the west lies the Said bin Sultan Naval Base, inaugurated at the end of the 20th century. This ultra-modern complex is the heart of Oman’s naval forces, with around 4,500 sailors, and includes the fleet, a naval academy and repair facilities. The reason for this strong naval presence is simple: Oman controls the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 30 percent of the world’s oil passes. Protecting these strategic routes, monitoring maritime traffic and combating piracy are among the navy’s essential missions. Between ancient legends and very modern challenges, this single port perfectly sums up Muscat’s story: a city protected by nature, sustained by the sea and always turned toward the horizon.