Qasr Al Hosn : Mix of Old & New

After a decade of meticulous conservation and renovation, Abu Dhabi’s oldest heritage site Qasr Al Hosn is now open to visitors

Abu Dhabi’s historic landmark Qasr Al Hosn recently entered a new phase in its extraordinary history. On December 7, after a decade of meticulous conservation and renovation, Abu Dhabi’s oldest heritage site, parts of which date back to the 1760s, re-opened as a museum.

“Al Hosn reflects the richness and diversity of Emirati cultural and historical treasures. Its opening represents a new phase in Abu Dhabi’s cultural plans, which reflect the unique features that characterise our society and drive our people towards greater creativity,” said, HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi.

The Qasr Al Hosn site comprises of four interrelated components: the historic Fort by the same name, the National Consultative Council building, the Cultural Foundation and the House of Artisans. The site’s masterplan is divided diagonally into two areas with distinctive identities: the past and present. On one side, the Qasr Al Hosn Fort has been reinstated in its original coastal desert, while on the other, a modern heritage area with a city grid layout has been created around the Cultural Foundation, celebrating Abu Dhabi’s urbanisation.

 

Qasr Al Hosn

The oldest and most significant heritage site in Abu Dhabi city, Qasr Al Hosn encompasses two iconic buildings: The Inner Fort, which was built around 1795 to protect the settlement of Abu Dhabi established on the island in the 1760s, and The Outer Palace built in the 1940s. The inner fort has been witness to Abu Dhabi’s vibrant history over the past two centuries and had previously been home to the ruling family, the seat of government, the consultative council and the national archives. Now transformed into a national monument, Qasr Al Hosn narrates the city’s development from a settlement reliant on fishing and pearling in the 18th century to a modern, global metropolis of the 21^st century. Visitors may also head to the historic National Consultative Council building that was the site of the early discussions and negotiations on the unification of the Emirates.

The exhibition at the Inner Fort traces the many historic events that formed the settlement of the Abu Dhabi island, it also has displays showcasing everyday life in the fort of that time and how this historic landmark was once both a ruling family home and a busy administrative centre. The Outer Palace was constructed by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the 1940s. The rooms display the stories of the people who lived in the palace and their everyday lives. Visitors will be able to explore the personal quarters of Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan and a part of the Ruler’s Majlis. Films, interactive displays and oral histories bring stories of these rulers to life in combination with original artefacts and treasures from the past.

 

House of Artisans

The crafts represented in House of Artisans, a separate block within the site, celebrate the creative and artistic relationship between the people of the UAE and the locally available natural resources. The crafts reflect a deep artistic sensitivity and quality craftsmanship. The house will serve as a tangible and practical means for preserving and displaying the traditional crafts of the UAE and enabling the all-important transmission of knowledge and skills around these crafts, ensuring their future survival.

 

The Cultural Foundation

The Cultural Foundation will re-open in successive phases, allowing access to the Visual Arts Centre, which in addition to the exhibition halls, will feature workshops and art studios. The two remaining components – a 900-seat theatre and the first Children’s Library of its kind, will open in 2019. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Qasr Al Hosn site will also host a year-round calendar of public events.