UAE palace tower that housed Sheikh Zayed's family reopens

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the reopening of the iconic North-West tower at Qasr Al Muwaiji in Al Ain.

In the early phases of the palace’s restoration, it was discovered that the North-West tower contained residential living areas. These were used by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the main residence for his family, as the area was much larger in comparison to the North-East tower.

The traditional architecture of the tower allowed for cool and pleasant temperatures in the rooms, with the upper floor having large, unique windows which caught the breeze and flooded the area with light.

As the historic site prepares to welcome visitors once again, strict Covid-19 safety measures have been implemented.

A permanent exhibition has been created that celebrates the life of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Visitors to the palace will also be able to see some of the President’s belongings from when he was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Qasr Al Muwaiji is home to numerous attractions that are open for exploration, starting from the entrance gate, which highlights the outer part of the palace and its surrounding area. Visitors can then visit the exhibition square and view a group of rare photographs that narrate the defining moments in the UAE’s history.

Omar Salem Al Kaabi, Al Ain Museums Manager, said: “As part of the Cultural Sites of Al Ain, included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, the palace is an embodiment of the UAE’s long history and rich cultural heritage. With the highest health and safety measures and standards in place, the reopening of the palace to the public, now with the inclusion of the newly renovated North-west tower, is an important milestone and we are thrilled to welcome guests again.”

• Abu Dhabi