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Al-Fahidi
Fort, built in 1800, is home to the Dubai Museum, and is thought to be
Dubai's oldest building.
Established in 1970, the
museum is housed in the imposing 19th century Al Fahidi fort. The Al
Fahidi Fort, was built around 1799, and once guarded the landward
approaches to the town. Thought to be the city’s oldest building, the
fort was both the residence of Dubai’s rulers and the seat of government
until it was retired as a museum in 1971. It was renovated in 1970 for
use as a museum; further restoration and the addition of galleries was
completed in 1995.
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The walls of the fort
are built from coral and shell rubble from the sea, and are cemented
together with lime.
Wooden poles called handel
support the upper floor, and the ceiling is made of palm fronds, mud and
plaster. A massive, iron-studded door stands at the entrance, and its
battle-scarred walls and towers bear witness to the conflicts of the past.
The Dubai Museum is a must
see for everyone who comes to Dubai. This is a lively interactive museum
with working models and lifesize displays portraying various aspects of
Dubai life: a bustling market, an Islamic school, the desert at night and
sealife in the Gulf.
When the Museum was opened by
the ruler of Dubai in 1971, its main aim was to furnish a record of the
Emirate's traditional life, much of which is fast disappearing. Local
antiquities have been collected and stored, along with artifacts from many
African and Asian countries, trading partners with the Emirate, throughout
its long commercial history.
At the Museum's entrance, the
visitor can browse through a collection of old maps of the Gulf and the
Emirates, together with aerial photographs showing Dubai's considerable
urban expansion between 1960 and 1980.
Inside, a treasure trove
awaits. A large section is devoted to musical instruments, with displays of
drums, flutes, lyres, bagpipes made of goatskin and other locally-made
instruments used in performances on festive occasions.
On a less peaceful note,
displays of deadly weaponry are enough to curdle the blood. The curved
daggers known as hanjars are much in evidence, and the display also
includes swords, spears, bows and arrows, shields made of sharkskin, pistols
and axes.
A model of a wind-tower room
is an interesting feature of the architecture section, with diagrams and
photographs showing different types of wind-towers from the older areas of
Dubai city.
Narish Khyma ,
situated close to the Museum, is a typical Arab summer-house, with an
interesting collection of local boats. These include a replica of the famous
abra -- the ferry boats used for transporting passengers across
Dubai's river creek.
The museum is located in Bur
Dubai and is open from 8:30am to 7:30pm (Sat-Thu), Fridays from 2pm hrs to
7:30 hrs.
Please contact the museum
directly to confirm timings at telephone 3531862
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