East of Salalah and en-route to Mirbat, is the delightful town of Taqah. In the old quarter of the town you can find the historic homes of the old traders of Taqah, dating from when the town was a significant export hub for myrrh and frankincense; these houses, some of which are now shops, have a large open downstairs where merchant’s goods used to be stored and the living quarters upstairs. The fort has been recently restored and is one of the best examples of historic military architecture in Dhofar.