Sur, the former East African port
The port of Sur was once Oman’s most important port for trade with East Africa. The city still maintains its reputation as a shipbuilding metropolis. Today Sur is one of the most significant regional centres of Oman.
The port of Sur was once Oman’s most important East African port. In Sur’s heyday up to 400 such ships or even larger merchant ships lay at anchor in the large lagoon of the city.
In the middle of the 19th century a storm took the large African fleet by surprise when returning from Zanzibar. The ships sought safety in a bay of the Al Hallaniyyat islands, but almost all fell victim to the full force of the storm. It smashed the whole fleet against the island’s cliffs and many people lost their lives. This catastrophe sealed the end of Oman’s great maritime age. But Sur still maintains its reputation as a shipbuilding metropolis.
Since 1992 the town seems to be exploding and parallels to Muscat in the 1980s spring involuntarily to mind. Suddenly there is not a single old building to be found, everything seems to be brand new. Sur has been once more becoming one of the most significant regional centres of Oman.
Georg Popp
What makes this travel guide so special? This book is a product of the long-term personal friendship between the authors, Mr Georg Popp and Mr Juma Al-Maskari and their continuing fascination with the Sultanate of Oman. Combining their insights from European and Omani perspectives, they have produced a guide which is as much about culture and history as it is a practical guide for planning your itinerary.
