Come and walk with me around Mirbat, a fishing town on the South Oman, around 70km from Salalah . Last week we entered the old town, this week join me as we head on around the corner.
There are many old towns in Oman but in this one, I felt I was recording for posterity. Towns are abandoned and slowly fall to the ground, the history is gone.
I hope that doesn’t happen here, it’s a real opportunity to see the heritage of a life lived in a remote Southern Omani town of historical importance, but it doesn’t look too hopeful, does it?
Funds are required to maintain any place in its original state and in this day and age, maybe some of the past isn’t so important when you have to maintain the infrastructure and progress in a country that is so vast.
Enjoy what I found….
Parts of Mirbat old town have already been lost to the elements….
The Mosque still in good repair and in use…
Some of the houses were still lived in, I think this was empty….
A crooked door with Arabic inscription carved into the lintel…
Fish traps still used….
A missing door here…
And a red one here…
Doorless but an interesting surround….
down a little alley to the sea…
This one was lived in…
I had a struggle getting this straight, everything is awry…
One of the smarter lived in homes…Nice green doors…
This was long abandoned, but I really liked this door…
Olive green this time…
I liked the view of the window beyond the empty doorway…
It was the first day of Eid and these two were fascinated by my camera and made willing models…
A Mirbat selfie complete with dhow…
Just as well he didn’t slip, it was a big wave…
I love these inner doors, its very traditional in the Middle East and Oman…
These were in good condition, maybe the house was lived in…
These weren’t, but check out the carved surround..isn’t that beautiful?
These made a good shot…
This was a tiny door, I could only think it was for children….
Once an important house in the town,owing to it’s size, now weatherbeaten and collapsing…
Neat little door , the symbol I think, associates with the police or military….
A flash of yellow….
And some pastel shades with an interesting motif above the door…
What was through the door? I didn’t look…
And it quite difficult to get close to this one….
The corner shop for the old town…
Christened Cat Mirbat as it was the only one I saw….
And these were the prize doors, half blocked by a truck, which is why it’s half a picture. Aren’t they wonderful….
Some nice green doors in an interesting building….
And my last doors as we drove out of old Mirbat…
Linking with Thursday Doors, pop over and check out some of the doors this week….
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Travels in the Middle East and beyond 
Oooo, a whole new world, doorwise and otherwise too, I’m sure. What a variety of shapes and colours and details. Most lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice collection of doors and so sad that this place is doom to disappear. It is always a shame when patrimonial buildings aren’t preserve for future generations. (Suzanne)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such derelict beauty! Sad that it can’t be refurbished, but money is always a problem and not just there.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing the doors of Oman. The mosque looks so out of place within the buildings of disrepair. That little town would be so cool if all of the buildings were updated and occupied. It’s too bad that history and these structures are lost due to lack of funds and ability.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a shame when whole villages end up ruined. But they make fabulous photo opportunities! And I love the cat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks almost like a ghost town, with a few ghosts still hanging around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a wonderful collection of sad doors. You captured the texture so well. I hope some of these can be saved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How many still live here, then, Vicky? Just one or two?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There seemed to be quite a community living in the old part, it is quite big and of course the more picturesque houses were the tumble down ones. New villas have sprung up all around the outskirts of Mirbat, so possibly some gov. funding there ….It will be interesting to see how long the old town lasts for…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad of that. I know progress is progress, and those that live in uncomfortable but picturesque old houses often yearn for something new, and it is easy for others that do live comfortably to be critical, but it would be an awful loss if all of the old buildings were to go.
LikeLike
I think Janet at Sustainabilitea said it best for me … ‘derelict beauty’. An interesting and beautiful collection of doors in spite of – or perhaps even because of – their disrepair.
Between the doors within a door and the inscriptions in the door frames, these were certainly unique.
I particularly liked the red door with the beautiful shuttered windows above it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating photos, I hope the town doesn’t go to ruins, it would be a real shame, it looks like such a great place/location.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, these are amazing images. Those doors have such character. I hope the buildings will be preserved, they are so beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what an amazing collection. I can only echo what the others have said. Such a shame it’s falling into such a state of disrepair. The location seems incredible. Thanks for sharing these 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is remarkable and commendable that you have preserved these remarkable images for posterity. Wonderful post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What wonderful pieces of the past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A marvellous gallery of doors, Vicky. I love that alley leading down to the sea, and also the photos of the two young men. Mirbat is so adorable. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Monday Window: 29/8/16 | Travels in the Middle East and beyond
Wonderful!
LikeLike
Pingback: Thursday Doors, 12/10/17. Trying for the perfect door shot, Mirbat, Oman…. | Travels in the Middle East and beyond