‘Frankincense priest' shares Oman's sacred scent

Observer

2 days ago

AmidST the frankincense hills and coastal breezes of Salalah, an Austrian Catholic priest has discovered more than just a destination — he has found a sacred bond.Fr Mario Brandstätter, parish priest from Hartberg in the Styrian region of Austria, calls Salalah his 'fragrance city', a place where the sacred scent of frankincense has shaped both his spirit and scholarship.'It was like meeting an old friend', says Fr Mario, recalling the first time he touched the resin from the Boswellia sacra trees in Salalah during his visit in February 2024. 'After decades of working with incense in Europe, finally being able to smell, touch and taste the raw resin in its homeland was a heavenly experience'.So deep is his passion for frankincense that fellow clergy in Austria affectionately call him 'the incense freak'. But for Fr Mario, this isn't just a hobby — it's a lifelong calling rooted in faith, culture and healing.During his maiden trip to Oman, Fr Mario was overwhelmed by the dramatic contrast of Dhofar's landscapes — the endless desert sands, the tranquil sea and the lush hills scented with ancient resin.
Fr Mario Brandstätter visits Salalah souq for frankincense
'The perfume puff from Omani dishdashas intrigued me instantly', he said. 'Then the incense souk hit me like an olfactory explosion'.His travels included sacred spots such as the tombs of Prophet Job or Prophet Saleh, but it was the warmth of Omani hospitality that etched itself deepest in memory. 'I felt safer in Salalah than in many parts of Europe', he said.Fr Mario is no stranger to spreading the scent of Oman far beyond its shores. Back in Austria, he runs a museum in his rectory called 'The World of Scents', offering lectures, tastings and incense-burning workshops.'As a trained merchant and priest, I advise monasteries and parishes on incense use', he said. 'There is a spiritual and emotional response in people when they inhale high-quality frankincense. It crosses all boundaries — cultural, religious and even scientific'.He also held a talk titled 'The Frankincense Priest in the Land of Frankincense' to inspire Austrians to join his return trip to Salalah in February 2026, a journey already fully booked in partnership with Gruber Reisen, an Austrian travel agency and tour operator; and 'Your Salalah Tour'.
Fr Mario Brandstätter at Wadi Dawkah heritage site
'Our tours cross borders and connect cultures — and the common thread is frankincense', said Uta Ohme, his German collaborator and Rashid from Your Salalah Tour. 'Fr Mario brings deep knowledge and immense passion for the incense traditions and we deeply value his bridge-building efforts between Europe and Oman'.In a world often divided, Fr Mario sees incense as a bridge — not just between continents, but between people. 'This 4,000-year-old Egyptian saying I came across in Salalah sums it up: 'No day is beautiful without a pleasant fragrance'', he said.From advising churches on the right incense to helping individuals craft rituals for special moments, his work goes beyond religion — it's about wellness, culture and connection.'The wisdom of burning frankincense for body, mind and soul is being rediscovered even by modern medicine', he explains. 'What was once misunderstood is now being revered again — and Oman sits at the heart of that rebirth'.
Inspired by the sacred scent trails of Salalah, Fr Mario Brandstätter established the 'World of Scents' museum within his Austrian parish — a heartfelt tribute to Oman's rich frankincense heritage. Deeply moved by the essence of Dhofar, he transformed his lifelong passion into a curated space that brings the soul of Salalah to Europe
The perfume puff from Omani dishdashas intrigued me instantly and the the incense souk hit me like an olfactory explosion
Fr Mario Brandstätter
Parish priest from Austria