Al Alam Palace, Royal palace in Old Muscat, Oman.
Al Alam Palace is a royal palace in Old Muscat, Muscat Governorate, Oman, situated between two Portuguese forts along the waterfront. The facade displays a geometric pattern of blue and gold columns, while the main gate leads to several courtyards and a reception area inside.
Sultan Said bin Sultan built the original palace in the early 19th century on the foundations of an old sea wall between Mirani and Jalali forts. The current palace structure was completed in 1972, replacing the older building with a modern design incorporating Islamic elements.
The palace functions as the ceremonial residence of the Sultan of Oman, hosting state meetings and receiving international dignitaries throughout the year.
Visitors can photograph the exterior and gates from publicly accessible areas, while the interior remains closed for official functions. The best view of the facade is from the small plaza in front of the palace gate, especially during cooler morning hours.
Indian architects from the firm Shapoorji Pallonji designed the current building, combining modern construction methods with traditional forms. The palace uses bright colors that appear especially vivid in sunlight, while many other government buildings in the region favor lighter tones.
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