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Condé Nast Traveler
17 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Abu Dhabi's Long-Awaited Zayed National Museum Is Slated to Open in December
Abu Dhabi's long-awaited Zayed National Museum will open its doors in December. Located at the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum will tell the story of the UAE, dating back more than 300,000 years. Named after the country's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it will house many rare artifacts, including one of the world's oldest pearls, discovered in Abu Dhabi, as well as folios from the Blue Quran, and a 60-foot reproduction of an ancient Magan boat, set to be displayed in the museum's atrium. Regular visitors to Abu Dhabi will have witnessed the museum's construction in recent years. The Foster+Partners-designed structure is impossible to miss against the Saadiyat Island skyline, with its five feather-shaped steel structures inspired by the wings of a falcon, the UAE's national emblem.
CairoScene
10-07-2025
- CairoScene
Zayed National Museum to Open in Abu Dhabi This December
With six galleries exploring Emirati heritage and global connections, the museums is set to become the UAE's cultural heart. Jul 10, 2025 Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District will welcome a major new addition this December with the opening of the long-anticipated Zayed National Museum. Positioned as the national museum of the UAE, the landmark institution will honour the legacy of the country's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, highlighting his lifelong dedication to education, cultural preservation, and national identity. Spread across six permanent galleries and a temporary exhibition space, the museum will showcase 300,000 years of human history through archaeological discoveries, donated artefacts, and significant domestic and international loans. Highlights include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, considered one of the world's oldest natural pearls, the Blue Qur'an, a masterpiece of Islamic calligraphy, and a reconstructed ancient Magan Boat. Designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, the building features five steel towers inspired by falcon wings, symbolising a practice central to Emirati heritage. The design also integrates sustainability and accessibility at its core. The museum will join a growing cultural ecosystem in Saadiyat that includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
The National
10-07-2025
- General
- The National
A look at the architecture and galleries of Zayed National Museum
Building to feature recreation of ancient Magan boat and one of world's oldest natural pearls
Filipino Times
10-07-2025
- Filipino Times
Zayed National Museum opening in Abu Dhabi set for December 2025
Get ready! The Zayed National Museum will open its doors this December 2025 in Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District, one of the world's top cultural hotspots. The UAE's national museum celebrates the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, bringing his vision of education, unity, and compassion to life in a space for everyone to explore and connect with the country's incredible history. '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,' His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said. Visitors can look forward to six permanent galleries across two floors, showcasing 300,000 years of history, plus a temporary gallery for exciting new exhibits. The museum features artifacts from across the UAE, along with special loans from around the world. Some of the must-see highlights include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world's oldest natural pearls, the Blue Qur'an manuscript, and a recreated ancient Magan Boat, developed with local and international university partners. Designed by world-famous architect Lord Norman Foster, the museum's five soaring steel towers resemble falcon wings, paying tribute to a beloved Emirati tradition, a shining example of sustainable design. It stands alongside several internationally acclaimed cultural institutions within the district, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
What's On
15-05-2025
- What's On
Here's a sneak peek into the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi
It could open to you before the year is out… With the highly-anticipated opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi making waves in the UAE capital only last month, we now have our sights set on Zayed National Museum, which is slated for another exciting launch – possibly before the year is out. To feed your enthusiasm, here are 5 interesting facts about Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. How your tour begins teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi drew you in with dark, mysterious hues and incredible light shows that took some getting used to. At Zayed National Museum, you'll begin your tour at the 600-metre Masar Garden, which will introduce you to the nation's native plants. Much like teamLab, Masar Garden's exhibits will also be interactive, and you can expect to interact with and learn more about the Falaj irrigation system, which goes back almost 5000 years in time. There's also as many as 12 special animal-inspired sculptures that pay tribute to the fauna of the region. Journey back in time And their focus shall be the rich history of the UAE, with special emphasis on the vision of the Father of the Nation, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. You'll also be educated on early human settlements that go back 300,000 years, and will have the chance to explore nature, trade, coastal life, language and traditions of the Emirates. These galleries will truly be a journey back in time. See a Magan Boat from the Bronze Age There's been much talk about this exhibit, and with good reason. A full-size reconstruction of a Magan Boat from the Bronze Age is one of Zayed National Museum's standout exhibits, and constructed with materials like reeds and palm-fibre rope, is undoubtedly going to be a major draw. The 18-metre Magan Boat comes to life following collaborative research conducted by Zayed University and NYU Abu Dhabi, and you'll be able to get a glimpse of early seafaring, a time-honoured occupation of the region. If you've wondered what the huge structures atop the building are… Wonder no more. There's no way you've driven past Saadiyat Island without spotting these massive structures above the Zayed National Museum's construction, and we're told they represent the wings of a true regional icon, the falcon. The five massive steel structures pay tribute to falconry in the UAE, and will also act as wind towers – underscoring sustainability as a core component of the UAE's, and Abu Dhabi's strides forward. Everyone's invited, and everyone's welcome In addition to being a global masterpiece, Zayed National Museum is also big on inclusivity. Its design makes the structure accessible for all including people of determination and elderly members of society, fostering the spirit of community for visitors of all backgrounds and abilities. Images: supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
