Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Hosn all set for December reopening after a decade

Abu Dhabi - Qasr Al Hosn, considered the first standing structure in Abu Dhabi, was closed for renovation in 2008.

Abu Dhabi's historic landmark and the emirate's first seat of power, Qasr Al Hosn will reopen after a decade as a permanent museum and cultural site, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced.
When it opens on December 7, the restored 18th-century fort is bound to "shake up the cultural scene of Abu Dhabi", said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.
"If the walls of the museum can talk, they will tell the story of the history of this structure and the city. The museum will tell you the story of the people who were living in this fort and house; they will tell the story of the history of the UAE and the growth of Abu Dhabi through the eyes of the fort," he said.
Qasr Al Hosn, considered the first standing structure in Abu Dhabi, was closed for renovation in 2008 and had undergone extensive restoration and conservation works through the years.
"This landmark is our greatest historical and cultural symbol, the witness to our remarkable history - in just two and a half centuries - from a humble coastal settlement to the global metropolis we see today. Significantly, it is the cherished cultural heart of Abu Dhabi. Many have longed for its reopening and we hope our people and all residents feel a sense of homecoming as much as we do."
The fort (hosn) that was built in circa 1795 as a coral and sea stone watchtower to protect the settlement of Abu Dhabi, later evolved into a seat of governance. In 1855, after the accession of Sheikh Zayed the First, Al Nahyan family established it as a seat of governance. The outer palace (qasr) was built in 1939 by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan, and later in 1968, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan built a majlis and turned it into a home for Al Nahyan family. This later evolved into the National Consultative Council (NCC) that hosted the negotiations with the sheikhdoms for the union of the emirates.
What's in store for visitors
When the historic structure reopens as a museum in December, a permanent exhibition in the restored fort will offer a multi-layered visitor experience, providing insights into the lives of the rulers and people who lived in the outer palace, and exploring the story of the fort's conservation.
The displays will be brought to life in a permanent collection with interpretation tools, ranging from archival materials to films and interactive experiences.
Saif Ghobash, undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "From innovative installations, rare and important artefacts, to archival documents, and everyday objects, the displays in Qasr al Hosn's renovated fort truly bring our past to life, documenting how our ancestors lived through the centuries. Equally fascinating is the archaeological and conservation work that has been done to restore the fort to its full glory."
In addition to the permanent displays, Qasr Al Hosn will host a year-round calendar of public events. The reopening of Qasr Al Hosn will also see the redeveloped city block, which will include a new House of Artisans, a mosque, gardens, underground parkings, and the newly renovated Cultural Foundation building. Al Mubarak said the foundation would have art studios, exhibition halls, screening rooms, an amphitheater, and the region's biggest children's library.
The official opening will be followed by week-long festivities encompassing cultural programmes and entertainment.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi