Al Qoorah charms visitors with grapes, apricot, pomegranates

NAKHAL: The beauty of nature in the Wilayat of Nakhal in the Governorate of South Al Batinah and the mountainous terrain of its villages draw many visitors from inside and outside the Sultanate.

The towering villages of Wadi Mestal are unique tourist attractions and are situated on the highest mountain peaks of Al Hajar Al Gharbi “North” Mountains.

The village of ‘ Al Qoorah’ in Wadi Mestal in Nakhal is a quiet tourist area that lies on a rocky groove stretching from Al Hajar Al Gharbi Mountains.

It is about 53 km from the centre of the wilaya. This village is one of several archaeological and tourist villages in Wadi Mestal. The valley also includes the villages of Al Hajar, Wakan, Al Shas, Al Aqar, Hadash, Al Khadad, Al Khadrah, Ardh al Shua, Al Misfat, Al Dhaher, Ain al Sheikh, Aqaba and others.

Wahab bin Zahran al Riyami, a resident of the village, had managed, with the cooperation of other villagers, to pave a dust road to his house at the top of the village.

He said Al Qoorah is located at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level.

It is famous for growing grapes, pomegranates, apricots and figs, which are irrigated by a number of aflaj (water streams) and springs located in the village, such as Falaj al Aqar, Falaj al Marfa, Al Wasata Falaj, Ain al Halaf and Ain al Sahailah, which flow from the top of the mountain. He pointed out that the agricultural crops in the village start in May with the apricot that does not last long.

In July, the season of grapes, plums and pomegranates starts.

Then, the season of winter crops starts, such as garlic, onions, beans and wheat, as the weather is cold in winter and moderate in summer.

He added that there is an old archaeological house in the village called “House of the Sarooj” or “Grand House” and dates back to hundreds of years, which is considered one of the beautiful houses. There are also many ancient archaeological towers, such as the Great House Tower, Al Areesh Tower, Al Aqar Fort and Bait al Heidhan.

In the mountain ranges of the village of Al Qoorah, there are many caves, including Al Manazil cave, the cave of Siah, Al Maaqil and cave of Al Aqr.

The village also has a number of ancient mosques including Al Ain Mosque, Al Murafa Mosque, Areesh Al Borg Mosque, Al Rula Mosque, Al Kasbah Mosque and Al Bada Mosque.

Al Qoorah is connected to an old road from the Wilayat of Nakhal to the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar.

It was used as an important crossing point to provide food commodities for the villagers.