This giant incense (frankincense) burner is a well-known landmark in Oman. I’m sure many tourists wonder just what it is when they first see it! It’s located in an incredibly beautiful family/childrens park called “Al Riyam Park” and is located in Muttrah as you drive along the coast past the Muttrah Souq and the forts on your right. Here’s a close-up of the giant frankincense burner on a very cloudy day. (Thursday, March 26th) I just love signs like this! I especially love point F which gives the image of humans using giant “litter boxes” (like kitty litter boxes) to do their business in, ha!ha! There are many benches for visitors here at this lovely park (which has no entrance fee!) and so many places to have a picnic on the grass. This was from the rain just hours before. Yes, it rains here from time to time! Peekaboo! As you can see, there are many wide, green areas at the park. Check out the gorgeous view in the background of the cliffs on one side of the park with the sea and Muttrah Port on the other! This park is terraced and has a space of over 100,000 square meters! Check out that nice rest area! You should be warned that there is a crocodile that has been spotted in this park and is known for devouring the occasional tourist or two! (with a particular craving for silly Canadians!) Looks good enough to eat! I personally think that “James and The Giant Peach” is one of the best children books ever written. Many people are unfamiliar with Roald Dahl’s less successful sequel, “Andy and the Giant Pineapple”. 🙂 The pineapple of my eye! ha!ha! 🙂 Che at the entrance to “Riyam Amusement Park” which is located near the top of Riyam Park. No entrance fee here and plenty of amusement rides for the kids! Here is a list of the rides and prices to give you an idea: This is the “Water Pitcher Monument” located at Riyam Roundabout. This is where you turn to get to Riyam Park. Riyam R/A with Muttrah Port in the background One last photo while we were leaving the park. The incense burner lit up just minutes before we left. By the way, that is just a replica; it doesn’t actually light incense! I must have driven by this park dozens of times during the last year but this was our first visit. Definitely worth parking the car and taking a look around! Hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of Riyam Park! 🙂
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LOL! That incense burner is actually an observatory. It is closed, unfortunately…
Thanks for the comment, omanidreamer. Yes, I am aware it’s an observatory (it was also closed when we visited). Any idea why it’s closed or when it is expected to reopen?
It has been closed for many many years.. since the 1990’s. I suspect because kids were trashing the observatory. I don’t think it will re-open any time soon.
Hey Andy!
Thanks for the tour! I lived in Oman when i was a child, i’m back home in India now.. i cherish those memories… nice to see so many things changed!
About that incense burner, i tell u, i’ve been there.. i left oman in 1996 and it was open then.. was cool.. they had telescopes up there to enjoy the view… hope to vacation there someday soon, gw…
tk c…
peace.
Sam,
My pleasure! That’s cool that you had the experience of climbing up to “the burner” and seeing the port from a telescope. That would be awesome! Let’s hope they think about opening it up again! 🙂 Take care!
Hey there andy my family has lived in muttrah for a very long time…since the early 1900s. Absolutely love the sight of the sea and His Majesty’s Grand yatchs. You are definitely right about the place being its best early in the morning…when the lights go off…until dawn. I like how u’ve got so many pictures all the way from the port entrance upto the incense burner.
If you’re still in Oman i’d recommend a revisit to the corniche with all the decorations for the 40th national day.
cheers!
DP,
Thanks for stopping by! I also absolutely love the Muttrah port sights! Muttrah has to be one of the most photogenic places in Oman. Thanks for the advice about visiting while the 40th national day decorations are up. There seems to be SO much going on these days that I’m not sure if I can manage to get out there but I’ll definitely keep it in mind and try to check it out. Thanks and cheers right back at ya! 🙂