Qasr Al Hosn: Visit the Heritage Museum in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's oldest building is due to open its doors, giving visitors opportunity to experience the Capital's history like never before

Posted on

5 December 2018

| Last updated on 4 August 2019

by Rebecca Roberts

Following 11 years of transformation, Abu Dhabi's first ever structure will open its doors...

With a week long line-up of celebrations, the Capital's oldest building will be opening its doors to UAE residents, locals and tourists - inviting them to explore Abu Dhabi's history like never before.

The historical site was first opened this week by the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT - Abu Dhabi), with the public invited to explore the iconic building from Friday, December 7th.

Qasr Al Hosn is the ancestral home of the Al Nahyan family, and is the symbolic heart of Abu Dhabi. Comprised of four components - Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the National Consultative Council building, Cultural Foundation and the House of Artisans - the site is considered to be Abu Dhabi's original urban block.

Abu Dhabi residents will no doubt have experienced the popular Qasr Al Hosn festival, an 11 day programme that has been held for four years in February, complete with heritage activities and performances.

Until now, pedestrians have been able to get up close to Qasr Al Hosn - but this week will see the renovated museum and historic palace open officially, offering visitors a chance to see the history of the Baniyas confederation of tribes, the Al Nahyan family and how the modern Abu Dhabi we know and love today emerged.

Embedded into the urban footprint of the city on Abu Dhabi island, Qasr Al Hosn is undoubtedly a reminder of a time before huge projects were created in the emirate, like Yas and Saadiyat Island, or even Khalifa City.

“Qasr Al Hosn embodies the heritage of Abu Dhabi, and a poignant witness to the historic and fundamental milestones in the development of our country. At the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, we are proud to re-introduce this cultural monument after it has been preserved, restored and renovated to become part of Al Hosn,” said Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT, during a media tour of the site, reports Gulf News.

Check out what's new to explore at Qasr Al Hosn

Find heritage activities in the House of Artisans, a reopened Cultural Foundation and a new museum telling Abu Dhabi's history.

Reconstructions of the museum include the bedrooms the ruling family slept in, including the men's and women's majalis - with a particular focus on how women have played a crucial role in Emirati society since the beginning.

In the House of Artisans, visitors can partake in workshops and demonstrations of traditional Emirati crafts, like Tali embroidery and Al Sadu weaving. It also boasts the first Bait Al Gahwa, where visitors can enjoy Arabic coffee and browse items in a gift shop.

The museum itself comes complete with highly interactive films, displays and audios, where visitors will have the opportunity to truly experience and learn about the daily lives of people who lived in the palace.

The newly renovated Cultural Foundation will reopen with an inaugural exhibition - Artists and the Cultural Foundation: The Early Years - about the history of the building. Featuring over 100 paintings, sculptures and artworks by Emirati artists who were active during the Cultural Foundation’s years in the 1980s and 1990s - this is one part not to miss!

Work is still ongoing for this part of Qasr Al Hosn, with future plans to complete a children's library and a theatre, too.

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Events for the Qasr Al Hosn Opening this month

You can visit Qasr Al Hosn daily; on Sundays to Thursdays, from 10am until 10pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am until 11pm. For the reopening celebrations, here's the schedule of events:

Friday 7th December