Dating back to the 1790s, Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest and most significant building in all of Abu Dhabi, in addition to being a historical landmark in the region. Home to the city’s first permanent structure, the watchtower, Qasr Al Hosn takes you on a visit through the times gone by, all the way to the development of Abu Dhabi as a modern global metropolis.
A trip to Dubai would be totally incomplete without a visit to the oldest building in the city- Qasr Al Hosn. Not only is it the oldest building in the city, but also the most culturally significant. It is the central structure from which the rest of the city was born, and it still stands today as a testament to the wonderful history of Dubai. Qasr Al Hosn was built in 1790 as a watchtower that overlooked the trade routes in and around the coast of Dubai and was an important aspect of UAE’s trade relations with other countries.
When you visit Qasr Al Hosn, you can see two primary structures- the Inner Fort and the Outer Palace. Since its initiation as a watchtower, this building has served as a royal residence, the central government building, as a council meeting place and is now a national archive of some of the most important documents and records of the UAE. The place also doubles up as a museum, where you can see manuscripts, relics from back when Dubai was a small fishing village, and even tools and weapons that have existed since 6,000 BC. You must definitely visit this national monument if you want a taste of the true spirit of Dubai.
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History of Qasr Al Hosn:
Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, and dates back to the 1790s. When it was built, it also became home to the city’s first permanent structure called the Watchtower, which overlooked the coastal trade routes. The building also served to protect the region’s growing settlement.
Qasr Al Hosn is home to two major structures, namely the Inner Fort (1795) and the Outer Palace (1939-45).
Ever since its establishment, Qasr Al Hosn has also served as the home to the region’s rulers, and is currently the residence of the ruling Al Nahyan family. Over the centuries, Qasr Al Hosn has also been the seat of government, a consultative council as well as a national archive, in addition to being the home of the ruling family.
As of today, the building is a living memorial of the nation, in addition to being a place where one can learn about Abu Dhabi’s history, right from the 6000 BC and the early 18th century, to the modern metropolis that it has become over the years.
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Highlights
• Pay a visit to the oldest building in Abu Dhabi; the Qasr Al Hosn, and get a chance to witness the city’s rich history here
• Learn about the development of Abu Dhabi as a political and historical power as you explore this centuries’ old building
• Get a chance to see the watchtower here, which is also the first permanent structure of the city, along with a wide array of other exhibitions that display the building’s evolution
• Discover Al Nahyan’s ancestral home and the symbolic heart of Abu Dhabi as you visit the Inner Fort and Outer Palace here
• Learn about the culture, traditions and handicrafts of the region on your complimentary visit to the House of Artisans and Cultural Foundation located within Qasr Al Hosn
• Enjoy getting to know about the region’s cultural scenario through the interactive screens within the galleries and rooms that have been restored to their former glory here
• Step into the Bait Al Gahwa and learn everything about the famous Arabic coffee here, including facts about it, its significance amongst the Emirati as well as its entire preparation procedure
How To Reach
Qasr Al Hosn is located near the Mall World Trade Centre and the Etisalat Headquarters, at the intersection between Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Road and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street in Abu Dhabi.
To reach Qasr Al Hosn, you can either avail a taxi, or take a bus line 40 or 54 and get off near Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, which is located at a walking distance away from your destination.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Qasr Al Hosn is during the early hours after the building opens, which is around 10:00 a.m. This is when there is relatively less crowd and rush here, and when you can enjoy several activities at peace, without having to hurry from one place to another.
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Other Essential Information
Tips to Visit:
- It is best to visit the Qasr Al Hosn early, so that you can explore the museum freely without having to deal with a lot of crowds
- It is advisable to be respectful of the region’s culture and dress appropriately while visiting the museum
- Smoking and drinking inside Qasr Al Hosn is prohibited
- You must also keep a vigilant eye on your personal belongings at all times within the museum, since there is no other way to store your bags and belongings
- To avoid long hours of wait in a queue for entry, it is recommended to book your tickets to Qasr Al Hosn online
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Qasr Al Hosn Festival
The Qasr Al Hosn Festival is one of the most celebrated events in the city of Abu Dhabi, and caters to thousands of tourists and locals every year. Having been celebrated for more than 250 years, the festival is half in the Qasr Al Hosn Square, and offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s rich legacy, along with the cultures and traditions here.
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Al Sadu
Al Sadu is a popular method of weaving, used traditionally by the Bedouin women from times immemorial. The method uses animal wool to create impressive garments in geometrical patterns, thereby reflecting the tribe’s identity and surroundings. In addition to clothing, this method is also used to create the bait al-sha’ar, which is a type of tent that was used to protect their families from the heat.
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Khoos
At Qasr Al Hosn, you can also get a chance to see the art of Khoos, which are traditional handicrafts of the region. Khoos products include things like table mats, handheld fans, baskets with lids and other things that are made using branches, leaves and the fronds of date palm trees. Khoos is an art form that has been an important part of the life of Emirati for generations now.
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Talli
Talli is a skill acquired by specialised people of the Emirati, and at Qasr Al Hosn, you can learn more about it. Using Talli, people use cotton and/or silk to create beautiful embroidery on traditional garments and clothes. The art typically uses a mix of gold and silver thread to create embroidery on collars, sleeves as well as the hems of women’s traditional dresses. The process of Talli is quite intensive and takes a lot of time.
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Seacraft
The early residents of Abu Dhabi used the region’s available coastline in a variety of ways to their benefit. In addition to fishing for seafood and pearls, they also used it to develop a trade cycle across the Indian Ocean.
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Tourism Board Alliances
Qasr Al Hosn FAQs
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