Did that shimmering facade just wink at us? That’s Al Alam Palace, a building that practically defines “regal.” This is where the Sultan of Oman welcomes dignitaries and hosts state functions. It’s like the Buckingham Palace of Muscat, but with a distinctly Omani flair. The palace we see today, known as Qasr al-Alam in Arabic, wasn’t always so dazzling. It replaced a much older palace called Bayt al-‘Alam. That palace had quite a history. It was built in the 1800s on the foundations of a 16th-century Portuguese sea wall. Imagine the stories those walls could tell! Sadly, Bayt al-‘Alam fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished in 1971. But from its remnants rose this modern masterpiece, a shimmering symbol of Omani pride. While you can’t go inside, snapping a photo from the gates is a must. Those gold and blue mosaic columns against the bright Omani sky? Pure Instagram gold.
Hauptfriedhof
Lost in time stands the Hauptfriedhof Trier. A tranquil expanse in the bustling city it’s more than just a cemetery.