Bab al-Kabir, which translates to the Big Gate, is one of four gates of the 750-meter city wall around Old Muscat, the others being Bab al-Saghir, Bab al-Waljat, and Bab al-Mathaib. The date of its original construction is unknown. It has been considered the main entrance to the historic city at least since 1935-36, when then-Sultan Said bin Taimur rebuilt the gate after a road was construction between Muscat and Matrah in 1929. The road was paved between 1959 and 1962, but torrential rain caused the gate to collapse that year. It was also known as Bab al-Tayun for the al-Tayun neighborhood to which it leads as well as al-Darwazah historically. In 1962, torrential rain caused the gate to collapse. It was reconstructed soon after and played a ceremonial role in the welcoming of the new Sultan Qaboos to his capital city in July 1970.

Sources:

 "al-Bab al-Kabir." Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers. Accessed July 27, 2025.

https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;on;Mus21;43;en.

Peterson, J. E. Historical Muscat : An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer. Leiden ; Brill, 2007, 19; 61, 142.