Latest news with #DepartmentOfCultureAndTourism
The National
5 days ago
- The National
Al Maqta'a Museum opens the gates to Abu Dhabi's humble beginnings
Tucked within the conserved heart of the Maqta Conservation Area, Al Maqta'a Museum, housed in the lovingly restored Al Maqta'a Fort, offers a glimpse into Abu Dhabi's early days. It is a reconstruction of the former customs house and police headquarters built in the late 1950s, alongside a causeway linking Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, where officials monitored entry and traffic. It operated as such until 1971, when the unification of the UAE took place, since goods were then no longer required to be checked at this border. It reopened as a small, but information-packed, interactive museum celebrating its socio-cultural and historic importance in April 2025, as a joint project between Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Police. Why go there? This museum might be small, but its story is powerful. As part of Al Maqta Conservation Area, alongside the 18th-century Maqta'a Tower – constructed to strengthen the then-settlement's defences – and the original causeway from the 1950s, it tells the story of Abu Dhabi's transformation from a humble fishing settlement into a thriving modern metropolis. The tower still stands in the middle of the naturally formed waterway (the khor), conserved by DCT – Abu Dhabi to protect it from damage caused by repeated exposure to the marine environment. What you'll see The exhibit begins with a tour of Al Maqta'a Tower, which once guarded the shallow waters of the khor, guarding entry to Abu Dhabi Island. You'll also learn about other fortifications for defence, such as Al Hosn Tower. Moving into the 1950s-era customs house and police station, visitors encounter rugged gypsum‑and‑coral‑stone architecture and interactive zones that emphasise the fort's role as the gateway to the emirate. Highlights include vintage police vehicles, period uniforms and archival documentation that chart Abu Dhabi Police's development through time. A 1968 Toyota FJ43 Soft Top also sits in the museum, the same model of car once used for public transport in Abu Dhabi. This site sits within a broader heritage precinct along the old Maqta'a crossing, where you'll also find buildings and structures of the pre-oil and post-oil periods. Consider pairing your visit with a walk around the tower and nearby conservation structures. Replicas of the bridge and tower make for picturesque photo stops. Children's programming and live police shows, as well as seasonal activations, are also planned for the museum in coming months. Star attraction Right now, a temporary exhibition on Umm an-Nar sits beyond the lovely little gift shop, with an interactive screen that allows you to learn all about the archaeological site and what has been uncovered there in recent years. There's a map of a cemetery and you can click on each grave to learn more about the people buried there. It's fascinating. There's also a medieval Byzantine coin, the first to be found in Eastern Arabia, that was discovered during the tower's restoration by DCT Abu Dhabi – a significant find. What to know before you go This is a great spot for families, with a playground outside and the interactive exhibits are sure to keep older children from getting bored. Visitors are also handed a 'passport' to take around the exhibits, so you can stop at five stations to stamp the document as you go around. It's not an overly flashy space, but rich in narrative, and allows visitors to skim through the exhibits or dive deeper for further information if they want. You'll need at least an hour if you'd like to leisurely wander through and read everything. It's also worth grabbing a coffee and pastry or bite to eat at the restaurant, La Petite, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and lovely views of the khor beyond. Ticket price and location
The National
6 days ago
- The National
Al Maqta'a Museum opens the gate to Abu Dhabi's humble beginnings
Tucked within the conserved heart of the Maqta Conservation Area, Al Maqta'a Museum, housed in the lovingly restored Al Maqta'a Fort, offers a glimpse into Abu Dhabi's early days. It is a reconstruction of the former customs house and police headquarters built in the late 1950s, alongside a causeway linking Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, where officials monitored entry and traffic. It operated as such until 1971, when the unification of the UAE took place, since goods were then no longer required to be checked at this border. It reopened as a small, but information-packed, interactive museum celebrating its socio-cultural and historic importance in April 2025, as a joint project between Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Police. Why go there? This museum might be small, but its story is powerful. As part of Al Maqta Conservation Area, alongside the 18th-century Maqta'a Tower – constructed to strengthen the then-settlement's defences – and the original causeway from the 1950s, it tells the story of Abu Dhabi's transformation from a humble fishing settlement into a thriving modern metropolis. The tower still stands in the middle of the naturally formed waterway (the khor), conserved by DCT – Abu Dhabi to protect it from damage caused by repeated exposure to the marine environment. What you'll see The exhibit begins with a tour of Al Maqta'a Tower, which once guarded the shallow waters of the khor, guarding entry to Abu Dhabi Island. You'll also learn about other fortifications for defence, such as Al Hosn Tower. Moving into the 1950s-era customs house and police station, visitors encounter rugged gypsum‑and‑coral‑stone architecture and interactive zones that emphasise the fort's role as the gateway to the emirate. Highlights include vintage police vehicles, period uniforms and archival documentation that chart Abu Dhabi Police's development through time. A 1968 Toyota FJ43 Soft Top also sits in the museum, the same model of car once used for public transport in Abu Dhabi. This site sits within a broader heritage precinct along the old Maqta'a crossing, where you'll also find buildings and structures of the pre-oil and post-oil periods. Consider pairing your visit with a walk around the tower and nearby conservation structures. Replicas of the bridge and tower make for picturesque photo stops. Children's programming and live police shows, as well as seasonal activations, are also planned for the museum in coming months. Star attraction Right now, a temporary exhibition on Umm an-Nar sits beyond the lovely little gift shop, with an interactive screen that allows you to learn all about the archaeological site and what has been uncovered there in recent years. There's a map of a cemetery and you can click on each grave to learn more about the people buried there. It's fascinating. There's also a medieval Byzantine coin, the first to be found in Eastern Arabia, that was discovered during the tower's restoration by DCT Abu Dhabi – a significant find. What to know before you go This is a great spot for families, with a playground outside and the interactive exhibits are sure to keep older children from getting bored. Visitors are also handed a 'passport' to take around the exhibits, so you can stop at five stations to stamp the document as you go around. It's not an overly flashy space, but rich in narrative, and allows visitors to skim through the exhibits or dive deeper for further information if they want. You'll need at least an hour if you'd like to leisurely wander through and read everything. It's also worth grabbing a coffee and pastry or bite to eat at the restaurant, La Petite, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and lovely views of the khor beyond.
The National
21-07-2025
- General
- The National
How discovery of 2,000-year-old tomb transformed Al Ain Museum
is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Guided by UAE-based Dabbagh Architects' design vision and inspired by recent archaeological discoveries, the redevelopment promises an immersive visitor experience – including 'live archaeology' uncovered during the project's first phase. 'Al Ain Museum is a project we've been working on for some time,' says Sumaya Dabbagh, founder of the architectural firm commissioned by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to conserve the museum's historic structures and lead a major expansion. A Saudi national raised between Jeddah and the UK, Dabbagh has built a reputation for designing culturally significant projects across the Emirates. Her firm worked on the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah and the Mosque of Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash in Al Quoz, the latter nominated for the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. 'When you work on cultural projects, it's for a community,' says Dabbagh, who has been based in Dubai since the early 1990s, following stints in the UK and Paris. 'It allows us to respond to the site and its context to create something deeply rooted in place, expressed through materiality – but still distinctly contemporary.' The museum sits next to the 7,000-year-old Al Ain Oasis, a Unesco World Heritage buffer zone in Al Ain City 'We're super excited,' Dabbagh says. 'This went through two design iterations, beginning in 2018. When we started on site and began excavation during the first phase, we uncovered archaeological remains – so the project was paused for a year.' Originally opened in 1971 under the direction of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Ain Museum is the UAE's oldest. It was established to document the history of the region from the Stone Age to the founding of the nation, with a collection that includes flint tools, arrowheads and artefacts dating back to the sixth millennium BCE. 'The site has a long and rich history, and the new design responds directly to that narrative – to the context and memory of the place,' Dabbagh says. Two significant heritage structures form the core of the site: Sultan Fort, a mudbrick building dating from 1910, and the museum building itself. 'In 2021, the client returned with a request to expand the project further – with new galleries and a complete design update. Now we have 'live archaeology' incorporated into the site, which adds an entirely new dimension,' Dabbagh adds. 'Construction is set to finish in a few months, with the opening date to be announced soon.' Two major archaeological features have been discovered during excavation. The first is a funerary landscape, including a tomb estimated to be 2,000 years old. It is one of the few examples of pre-Islamic funerary architecture found in the region, providing new insight into Al Ain's ancient history. The second is an agricultural landscape comprising a network of aflaj – underground irrigation channels – dating to the early Islamic period (8th–10th century CE). The main falaj runs north to south across the site, while several smaller ones branch east to west, linking the system to the nearby oasis. 'These discoveries gave us an opportunity to integrate the findings into dedicated enclosed galleries,' Dabbagh says. 'They add depth and richness to the visitor journey.' The museum experience will be structured around two interactive pathways that trace different historical timelines. One begins with the archaeological journey – offering visitors a ground-level view of the live excavation. The other links the newly built galleries and existing museum spaces via an elevated route. Externally, these pathways are reflected through architectural choices. 'We used stone cladding in tones that echo the earthen material of Sultan Fort,' Dabbagh explains. 'The museum experience flows through two permanent collection galleries – simple, white-rendered volumes that mirror the original 1971 structure.' Additional facilities will include an educational studio, a public library and a cafe. Behind the scenes, the museum will also house a conservation lab for restoring artefacts and a large collection storage area. 'In honouring the site's memory, we wanted to capture the spirit of place,' Dabbagh says. 'We aimed to create continuity through a contemporary design language that respects the past – adding a new chapter to the Al Ain Museum's story for generations to come.'
Arabian Business
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Business
Zayed National Museum announces Abu Dhabi opening
Zayed National Museum will open its doors to the public this year. The UAE national museum announced its opening for December 2025 in Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, which houses one of the highest concentrations of cultural institutions globally. The Zayed National Museum will honour the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his commitment to education, identity and belonging, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a statement. Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, has announced its opening in December 2025, in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi, one of the highest concentrations of cultural institutions globally. Visit and follow them on @znmuae — Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (@dctabudhabi) July 10, 2025 New cultural landmark in Abu Dhabi The museum will operate through immersive exhibitions, active research, and public programming, building on Sheikh Zayed's vision and upholding the values he stood for, including humanitarianism and preserving legacy. The museum's collection features artefacts from across the UAE, including donations that speak to the heritage of the country, in addition to domestic and international loans. 'The cultural legacy of the UAE has been nurtured over decades, from the establishment of its earliest cultural institutions to today's expansive vision for cultural exchange and knowledge. Saadiyat Cultural District represents the next chapter in this national journey, curating world-class institutions that honour the past and engage the future. As the national museum of the UAE, Zayed National Museum is the legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,' Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said. 'It is a tribute to his boundless belief in people, in their ability to learn, to uphold the values of unity, compassion and national pride. This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory and vision. This institution will carry our story forward for generations to come,' he added. Zayed National Museum to feature Norman Foster falcon-inspired design Sheikh Zayed held a conviction that an understanding of the past was essential to shaping the nation for the benefit of future generations. His passion for exploring the UAE's heritage and celebrating the influences that shaped Emirati culture led to the establishment of the country's first museum in Al Ain in 1971, followed by the opening of the Cultural Foundation in 1981. The museum's collection includes Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age artefacts, many of which were uncovered by archaeological teams over half a century ago. These discoveries, from the world's oldest falaj irrigation system to traces of Bronze Age copper mining, stand as evidence of the ingenuity and resilience of the UAE's earliest communities and reflect Sheikh Zayed's commitment to bringing the nation's history to light. Museum highlights will include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world's oldest natural pearls, shedding light on the history of pearling in the Arabian Gulf; the Blue Qur'an, one of Islamic art's manuscripts; and a recreation of a Magan Boat, the outcome of the museum's first research partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi. Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners designed the museum. The museum's design embodies the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, which is at the forefront of its sustainable design. Five steel structures rise above the museum and are inspired by the wing of a falcon in flight with falconry considered a practice that is part of Emirati culture. The museum will offer an inclusive and accessible experience that connects people across generations and geographies. Through its galleries, learning programmes and research, it will bring global perspectives into dialogue with the UAE's heritage and contemporary identity. From inspiring young people and engaging People of Determination and senior citizens, to driving international scholarship, Zayed National Museum will stand as a platform for cultural exchange and shared understanding. As part of Saadiyat Cultural District's mission to foster dialogue and promote cultural equity, Zayed National Museum will present collections and narratives that celebrate the region's heritage and represent Abu Dhabi's role as a crossroads of civilisations. It will stand alongside several cultural institutions within the District, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's role as a global meeting place for culture, ideas, and innovation.
Arabian Business
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi hotels generate $231m in April 2025 as tourism demand surges
Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector posted a strong performance in April 2025, generating AED847m ($231m) in total revenue, according to new data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi. The revenue breakdown included: AED540m ($147m) from room bookings AED256m ($70m) from food and beverage services AED51m ($14m) from other hotel-related services The emirate's hotels recorded an average occupancy rate of 87 per cent, with total guest nights surpassing 1.52 million across 172 hotel establishments offering 34,383 rooms. Abu Dhabi tourism boost The average revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached AED614 ($167), underscoring strong travel demand and healthy pricing power. In March 2025, the emirate's hotels welcomed approximately 531,000 guests, led by non-Arab Asian travellers (149,000) and closely followed by European visitors (148,000). UAE nationals made up 97,000 guests, reflecting a solid mix of international and domestic tourism. Five-star hotels attracted the highest volume of guests at 265,000, including 95,000 European travellers. Four-star hotels hosted 143,000 guests, while three-star and below properties received 63,000 guests. An additional 61,000 travellers stayed in hotel apartments, highlighting the emirate's wide range of accommodation options.
