Bait Al Safah in Al Hamra…one of the ancient historical houses

Al Hamra: The Omani historical houses are a landmark and witness to the ancient history that reflects the brilliance of ancient Omani architecture and the diversity of houses in their shapes, construction methods, and materials used according to the prevailing climate in that region.

Among the archaeological heritage preserved by the Wilayat of Al Hamra in the Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate is “Beit Al Safat”, which according to Omani historians is an archaeological landmark distinguished by its unique location in the middle of the old town, next to Al Salaf Mosque, and next to a group of orchards, fruitful palm trees, and Al Harah Falaj. Beit Al-Safa was a scientific and religious gathering area, and many scholars and sheikhs graduated from it. It is considered a house with beautiful construction and a destination for tourists, researchers, and students of archaeological sciences and history. It contains more than 25 rooms of varying sizes, is about 20 meters long, and its wooden door is more than 400 years old and still stands firm with the beauty of its engravings.

The Safat House was built from mud mixed with straw and mortar. According to Omani historians, this house was built during the reign of Imam Saif bin Sultan Al Ya’arubi – Qaid Al Ard – around the year 1655 AD. Its construction was supervised by the learned Sheikh Muhammad bin Yousef Al Abri, and the Sharia Falaj was dug next to it, and the town of Misfat Al Abriyyin was also built.

The purpose of building the house was to be the headquarters of the administration of the town of Al Hamra, and to be a scientific and religious gathering area. This building was called Beit Al Safa because it was built on a smooth, flat rock as its base. This house went through several stages of construction, the oldest of which was the eastern side, which was contemporaneous with the construction of the ancient Jabrin Fort. It was a landmark of culture, science, thought, and literature, and a seat of peace, harmony, and wisdom for centuries.

Beit Al Safat is one of the ancient historical houses that speaks about the past of the Omani people and depicts a picture of a cultural civilization that draws a history that traces in its path the features of an ancient scientific and intellectual renaissance that rests in deep historical corners that exude the scent of the struggle of the Omani people and their pursuit of knowledge. Its walls reveal an aspect of architecture with the intermingling of its parts, such as the stairs, rooms, corridors, and decorations in the ceilings and its facilities.

The house has been restored in recent years and now looks like a wonderful living museum using ancient artifacts and traditional furnishings. The building reflects the life of the Omani people in ancient mud houses and the tools used in life. B

eit Al Safat is distinguished by its unique architectural style, with its multiple floors, high building, decorations and engravings on the walls, ceilings and doors, and creativity in architecture. Rashid bin Saif Al Abri, Director of Beit Al Safat, said that the house has been distinguished since ancient times by its unique architecture, which was completed in successive construction stages.

The house has been restored several times and rooms have been added to it according to the needs of that time. He explained that this house was a residence and the headquarters of the administration of the town of Al Hamra, where meetings were held, decisions were made, scholars graduated from it, and students of knowledge went to it. Al-Abri added that Bait Al-Safa has now become a tourist destination visited by visitors due to its distinguished architecture. It has currently been transformed into a tourist destination that reflects the ancient Omani customs and traditions.

Some of the professions and crafts that were practiced in the past are held there, such as spinning, weaving, and extracting some local oils such as Shu’a and Qafas oils. There is also a place designated for making rose water, old household tools, and handicrafts such as pottery, ceramics, textiles, and palm fronds. He explained that the woolen industries and agricultural tools found in Bait Al-Safa show visitors the ingenuity of the Omani people in relying on what they make with their hands and what their land produces.