Harat Al Aqer: Reimagining Oman’s Built Heritage
Rawan Al Nadabi
Situated some 175 km southwest of Muscat, Harat Al Aqer lies at the northern edge of Jabal Al Akhdar, not far from the historic city of Nizwa and its imposing fort. Unlike the fortified silhouettes that dominate Oman’s traditional image of heritage, Harat Al Aqer presents a dense urban fabric woven through palm gardens, offering a window into the everyday lives of its past inhabitants. For decades, the settlement had been progressively deserted, beginning in the late 1970s, leaving its vernacular homes and alleys vulnerable to neglect. Yet, in recent years, a community-led rehabilitation initiative has breathed new life into the harah, starting with the creation of a Heritage Inn—a modest but symbolic step that marked the beginning of a broader revival.
Visiting Harat Al Aqer today, one is struck by a narrative that differs from the traditional heritage story. Here, the focus is not on defense or military monuments, but on everyday life, social memory, and architectural intimacy. Shaded alleys, stone lintels, and palm-framed courtyards speak of generations past, while modern interventions—carefully introduced—invite contemporary engagement. Yet, this revival is not without its tensions.
Many of the inns now emerging restructure old vernacular buildings as if they were new constructions, with little attention to the authenticity of the final product. Municipalities often issue building permits on a case-by-case basis, leaving a fragile balance between preservation and reinvention(Benkari Naima, 2021).
The resurgence of Harat Al Aqer extends far beyond restoration. Plenty of cafés sought light in the harah’s alleys, with standout examples like Anate, whose name is rooted in Arabic language. Glass walls fill the interiors with sunlight, turning rainy days into a spectacle, while rooftop terraces frame views of the surrounding mountains. What is particularly striking is that the harah’s revitalization is driven mostly by young Omanis. Coffee shops were the first businesses to appear—an enterprise some feared would become repetitive—but soon, a variety of businesses emerged, each competing not only on product but on experience, quality, and cultural expression. Visitors are offered more than food or drink; they are offered a tangible connection to the place, its history, and its community.
For frequent visitors like Mashood Khali, who drives all the way from Dubai for a weekend retreat, Harat Al Aqer offers something beyond aesthetics or commerce. “Harat provides me with peace of mind,” he explained, describing it as a negative-free zone where he feels magically connected to the place. Among the cafés, Anate stands out for him, not only for its coffee but for its beautiful architecture and the serene views it offers—a space where culture, history, and personal experience converge.
This momentum aligns seamlessly with Oman’s Tourism Strategy 2040, which envisions tourism as a core pillar of economic diversification in the coming decade. Harat Al Aqer demonstrates how community-led initiatives can stimulate economic activity, generate business opportunities, and create spaces where culture and commerce coalesce.
The success of Harat Al Aqer also raises important questions about heritage management. Does it represent a bottom-up model? The harah’s revival, largely shaped by local residents and entrepreneurs, contrasts with conventional top-down planning, suggesting a new approach where community participation drives both preservation and economic activation. At the same time, challenges remain: ensuring that modern interventions respect the authenticity of heritage, balancing tourism with local life, and maintaining the integrity of cultural narratives in the face of commercialisation. Harat Al Aqer’s story is inspiring, but it also highlights the delicate interplay between tradition, innovation, and sustainability.
Harat Al Aqer is more than a restored settlement; it is a living experiment in reimagining heritage. Through its alleys, homes, and entrepreneurial spirit, it reminds us that Omani heritage thrives not only in monuments and forts but in the spaces where communities live, interact, and innovate. Its ongoing success points to a future where preservation, creativity, and community agency are inextricably intertwined.
