Sohar, Port city in northern Oman.
Sohar is a port city on the northern coast of Oman, washed by the Arabian Sea. A fort made of mud brick stands on a low hill at the edge of the old town, from which you can see the bay and the mountains inland.
Merchants from Mesopotamia and Persia came here to load copper and frankincense, long before Islam reached the region. In medieval times, the city grew into one of the wealthiest ports on the Indian Ocean, before power shifted to Muscat.
Fishermen set their nets in the early morning and return with tuna, mackerel, and spiny lobster, selling their catch directly on the quay. In the lanes around the old harbor, men hang hand-knotted ropes and baskets, while women weigh frankincense and saffron in the shops.
A walk along the corniche in the early morning or late afternoon avoids the strongest heat and offers a view of the fishermen at work. Access to the fort is straightforward, and taxis bring travelers to the main points of the city.
Some residents say that Sinbad the Sailor from the Arabian Nights tales was born here. A bronze plaque at a spot near the harbor recalls the old legend, though archaeologists have found no evidence to support it.
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