Joanna James
Located between the West Bay and the Pearl on the eastern coast of Qatar, the Katara Cultural Village ceaselessly allures and enchants all those who visit it from all over the world. It profoundly displays the stunning beauty of oriental architecture of the land. Some of the key facts about this place that is regarded as one of the most interesting places to visit in Qatar are listed below.
The Katara Cultural Village, which is also known as Valley of Cultures, had a soft-opening in October 2010 when the Doha Tribeca Film Festival took place. The conventional architecture that is found here displays the glory of the traditions and culture of Qatar. In contrast to the sleek and sophisticated westernized decorations found in most luxury Doha suites of leading resorts, the architecture and designs at the buildings of Katara Cultural Village encompass the beauty of the traditional forms of Qatari designs.
Reaching the Katara Cultural Village is easy if you stay at a centralized hotel such as Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara. It is located on the north of Doha and has two main entrances. The first entrance is found right across the Doha Exhibition Centre. The next entrance which has a large underground car park is located approximately 400 metres away from the first entrance. The maps for bus and car routes to access the destination can be found online.
The entire area of the Katara Cultural Village is divided into several sections, each giving a unique experience to visitors. The main area, which epitomizes the charm of a traditional al fareej, includes 37 buildings of various institutions such as Qatar Photographic Society and Visual Arts Centre. Visitors will also be able to relax in several coffee shops and green areas in this main section. The famous private beach of the Katara Cultural Village is also located here. Al Yazwa Public Beach which can be accessed by paying a fee yet another popular area in this part of the village.
At the second area of the Katara Cultural Village a range of restaurants that serve a fusion of local and international flavours can be found while the third and fourth areas include many retail and residential buildings.
Quite a number of exhibitions, concerts and carnivals take place at the Katara Cultural Village throughout the year to celebrate the grand glory of the country's culture. Several buildings in the village facilitate the successful execution of many of these beautiful events.
The Amphitheatre is a spectacular architectural marvel that showcases the wonder of a classical Greek theatre. With a seating capacity of 5,000, this stunning venue has hosted many concerts and film viewings since its inception.
The beautiful Opera House is yet another fascinating spot at the Katara Cultural Village. Several leading international artists have performed at this stylish venue that smoothly combines traditional Islamic designs with Victorian architectural techniques.
The Drama Theatre is also a popular place that is used for the hosting of many film screenings as well as functions.
There are a number of restaurants in Katara Cultural Village that provide an eclectic blend of local and international cuisines. Some of the most popular restaurants here are Chac'late, Le Vesuvio, Khan Farouk Tarab Cafe, Saffron Lounge, Mamig- Armenian and Sukar Pasha Ottoman Lounge.
The stunning private beach of Katara Cultural Village is undoubtedly one of the most popular venues here. The beach covers nearly 2 kilometres and provides blissful indulgences to all in the exciting forms of parasailing, fishing trips, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. There is a separate play area for little children, making it an ideal place to relax and unwind with family.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
