Al ain: Al Ain village in the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, located in A’Dakhiliyah Governorate, is a distinctive tourist destination for many of the wilayat’s visitors. It boasts a moderate climate in summer and is very cold in winter.
According to Oman News Agency, the village is rich in historical and cultural landmarks and a variety of agricultural crops, such as roses, pomegranates, and grapes, which are grown on terraces that embody Oman’s agricultural nature. The blend of mountain terrain, natural scenery, and farms in the village has made it a favorite spot for nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, and hikers who use the many old paths that connect it to other villages in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, A’Dakhiliyah, and some villages in South Al Batinah Governorate.
Eng. Yahya Nasser Al Riyami, a resident of Al Ain village, stated that Al Ain is one of the oldest villages in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, with a history spanning hundreds of years. It holds great importance in the wilayat as it is centrally located and sits on a block of travertine rocks, known for their abundant water sources since ancient times. This location provides beautiful views of three other villages in the wilayat: Al Aqr, Al Sharijah, and Al Qasha.
He added that the village’s name, “Al Ain,” which means “the spring,” is attributed to its water sources. Three aflaj (irrigation channels) originate here: Falaj Al Awar, which irrigates the farms of Al Ain, Al Aqr, and Al Qasha villages; Falaj Al Qunti, which irrigates the farms of Al Ain village; and Falaj Abu Kabeer, which irrigates the farms of Al Sharijah and part of Al Ain village. There are also other natural springs, such as “Ain Al Uyayna.”
Al Riyami told Oman News Agency that Al Ain village is known for its historical, cultural, and religious landmarks. One is a site called “Al Qala’a” (the castle), which overlooks the village from the north and is one of the oldest residential houses.
The engineering of the underground aflaj channels is a historical masterpiece in itself, and the village houses, especially the old ones, are a testament to the village’s deep history.
Furthermore, the cultural aspect, which is a fundamental factor in preserving the village’s history and transmitting it through generations, is evident in the Holy Quran and religious sciences school. A collection of religious, cultural, scientific, and other books has been designated as a public endowment for the village, and a portion of the village’s farms is allocated to generate revenue for the upkeep of these books. The ancient mosques, of which there are four: Al A’ala Mosque, Al Naranja Mosque, Al Khashabatain Mosque, and Al Qunti Mosque, are historical witnesses to the residents’ interest in religion since ancient times.
Eng. Yahya Nasser Al Riyami explained that Al Ain village’s central location in Al Jabal Al Akhdar created a network of hiking trails.
Eng. Yahya Al Riyami confirmed that Al Ain village is surrounded by agricultural farms. It has all types of agricultural crops found throughout the wilayat, such as deciduous fruit trees (pomegranates, peaches, apricots, walnuts, grapes, etc.), vegetable crops like garlic and onions, and forage crops. It is also distinguished by the cultivation of rose trees, which serve as a source of income for the residents, second only to the pomegranate harvest. Most residents are involved in the rosewater distillation profession, which has given the village great importance and a good reputation at both the wilayat and national levels. This activity is expected to be a major draw for visitors during the rose harvest season.
He concluded by saying that the village attracts visitors throughout the year due to its unique features, though visitor numbers vary from time to time. Peak visitor periods are during holidays and official vacations, as well as during the rose harvesting and distillation season and the pomegranate harvest season.