Bayt Al-Greiza

An illustrated history and room-by-room examination of Bayt Al-Greiza, an Omani mansion that has been restored to its original vision and opened to the public.

A lavishly illustrated book on Bayt Al-Greiza from its historical roots during Oman’s Portuguese era through to being rebuilt in the 1970s according to the vision of HM Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id, as realized by the renowned architect Mohamed Makiya. Bayt Al-Greiza, once used by Sultan Qaboos to house and greet visiting Heads of State, has been fully restored and opened to the public, and its objects – furniture, art, gifts from visitors – have been collected, renovated and returned to their original position within the mansion. Part I gives a detailed history of the building up to its 1970s reconstruction. Part II begins by looking in detail at the restoration efforts involved in preparing Bayt Al-Greiza to be opened to the public. This is followed by a room-by-room and object-by-object walk-through of the restored building. Part III covers all the various ways in which Bayt Al-Greiza will be put to use in the future.