Joanna James
One of Dubai's best attractions, the Dubai Museum is a fabulous place to explore. Take a trip back in time and marvel at the city's development chronicled there.
The museum is housed within the Al Fahidi Fort, which on its own is one of the best examples of an ancient Middle Eastern desert fort. Constructed in 1787, this is one of the oldest in the Emirates and was once a blockade which protected the nation from sea pirates and invading tribes. In later years the fort was the administrative seat, also serving as a residence to the ruling family. Before its present state as a museum, the fort was also a prison and garrison. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was responsible for finally turning this historic complex into the Dubai Museum in 1971.
The museum is situated within one of the city's oldest heritage districts, Al Fahidi which is in Bur Dubai. It is centrally located and easy to reach from Palm Jumeirah hotels including properties the likes of Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. The area is home to a range of vintage Arabic buildings, which have been carefully restored to their former splendour. These are made up of ancient houses sporting wind towers, rustic stone walls and beautiful old courtyards, offering a cool haven to lounge in. Next to the Al Fahidi district is the Dubai Creek, which you must explore, along with some of the city's most popular souks.
The cultural richness, strong traditions and long drawn out history of Dubai greet you on entrance to the museum. A marvellous collection of displays there do justice in chronicling and showcasing the multi-faceted charms of the city. On display are vintage wooden boats, and Barasti houses which used a specialised cooling system before the advent of air-conditioners. A number of archaeological ruins too are on display, including those excavated from Al-Qusais, Al Soffoh, Hatta and Al Jumeirah; many of the artefacts found at these sites can be traced back to 2500 BC. Explore the pearl farming era of Dubai, as well as, the pre-oil period when life was simple. Discover traditional weapons like jewelled daggers and even exquisite bridal jewellery, pottery items, camel bone decorations and much more.
The galleries are the museums most popular feature; there you will come across a number of life-size dioramas offering an insight into traditional lifestyles of the Arab people. You will be treated to dioramas clarifying facts on vintage Arab houses, souks, date farms and ancient desert lifestyles.
Head over to the museum's basement and you can be a part of the interesting multimedia presentations there. Depicting the city's transformation from a humble pearl diving community to an oil-rich nation, the presentations are vivid and interesting. Ideal for visitors to understand Dubai's progress in time, and the length the nation has come in terms of development and lifestyle changes.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
