Dubai Museum in Dubai

History of Dubai Museum

Visit Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort which has till date remained unscathed from the turmoil of modernization since the year 1787. The fort was primarily built to protect the city’s core against uninvited attacks from the neighbouring rivals. However, the museum has been established recently, after the request of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the chief in charge of Kuwait in the year 1969.

At the entrance, Dubai Museum flaunts a magnificent fort decorated with many other artifacts which takes the visitors back to the golden days. The pathway leading to the (galleries) treats visitors with the essence of the Asian- African lives back in the 1800s. Welcoming more than a million visits every year, Dubai Museum is a platform to know more about the life of Dubai during 3000 BC, even before the invasion of oil.

Geographical Reference

Established in the year 1971, the Dubai Museum lies in Bur Dubai with a longitudinal reference of 25(degree)15’47”N and a latitudinal reference of 55(degree)17’50”E. Due to its geographical position, a climate in Dubai remains hot during most of the year. Most of the tourists are advised to visit the place in between December to February as the temperature from as early as May up to the end of October witnesses extreme heat with the temperature shooting even above 100(degree) F.

Al Fahidi Fort

The Fort is known as the oldest existing building in Dubai. Built during several periods of time, the fort is thoroughly made up of coral rock and mortar.  The square fort is guarded by three strong towers standing tall at each corner whereas the entrance to the fort is protected by two huge cannons. Where the entrance brags about the flags of Dubai flying high, the royal courtyard is graced with a huge boat traditionally called as a ‘dhow’. The galleries and halls shine with the arms and weapons of the ancient soldiers and the courtyard situated at the centre stores all the specimens of cannon balls, cannons made up of bronze, an ancient well, and various war- boats.

The museum also stores a specimen of Arish, a house specifically designed for the year-round summer season of Dubai. Artistically weaved with palm fronds, the house is facilitated with separate drawing and bedrooms as well as a kitchen, and is thoroughly decorated with furnishings once used by the people dwelling in them.

The Galleries

The collection at Dubai Museum includes old maps, life-size dioramas, archeological finds, and more. The very first gallery welcoming the tourists from the southwestern gate charts down the old maps of the city. Adjacent to it lies a ‘video-room’ that shows how beautifully the city has developed after the advent of oil. The following room teems with breath-taking evidence from the pre-oil era and enticing videos of working craftsman, vendors, carpenters, tailors, and buyers, which gives lifelike examples of life before modernization. A gift shop in located near the southern exit of the museum.

Attractions near Dubai Museum

The city of Dubai is famous not just for its museum but the nearby attractions that make the visit worth it. Let us explore the attractions around the Al-fahidi Museum.

Dubai Creek - It is one of the famous attractions close to the museum for tourists. Also considered to be the heart of the city of Dubai, it separates the two main regions of the city, that is, Bur Dubai in the south and Deira Dubai in the north.

XVA Gallery - The XVA Gallery is one of the famous galleries in the middle-east which specializes in modern art of the Arab world and Iran. This gallery consists works of upcoming, existing as well as well-established artists from the middle-east.

Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding - Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding calls in tourists to learn and know more about the local culture of Dubai and UAE. It also makes foreigners understand the importance of customs and traditions of the Arab world for the locals and the Arabs all over the world with the help of its variety of programmes developed for the purpose of education people.

Meena Bazaar - If you love buying gold, garments as well as textiles then Meena Bazaar is the destination for you. You will find most of the people conversing in either Hindi or Urdu, making the environment of the region homely for travellers from India and Pakistan. This market contains various accessories from the subcontinent and other nearby regions.  

Tickets for Dubai Museum also include a visit to the fort. The Dubai Museum opening hours are 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. The timings of Dubai Museum on Friday are 2:30 pm to 8:30 pm.