Al Hisn, a symbol of Sharjah and its people

Dr Shaikh Sultan during his visit to the Sharjah Fort, which was reopened after a 15-month restoration project.  — Wam  

Sharjah - His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, visited Sharjah Fort with Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, upon the completion of the fort’s restoration project.

Dr Shaikh Sultan toured Sharjah Fort, known as Al Hisn, and listened to a detailed overview about the precious historical facts that would be of interest to visitors and tourists.

Sharjah Fort, which was built in 1823 by Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr, contains a number of iconic collections showcasing the history of the fort. Since then, the fort has become a symbol of Sharjah and its people. The fort was the seat of government and a secure royal residence for Al Qawāsim.

 It was also a central gathering place for local residents and the site of many important governmental decisions that would later transform Sharjah.

The museum offers 12 exciting galleries, rich in information, which is the culmination of five years of painstaking research done by SMD teams.

The Fort, which just reopened its doors to the public, is Sharjah’s most important historic building. It went through a 15-month restoration project.

The renovation was driven by Dr Shaikh Sultan as part of the ‘Heart of Sharjah’ project to restore the Emirate’s key heritage sites. A conservation team has worked tirelessly to restore the original appearance, colour and texture of the building and to accurately portray the fort’s distinctive features, including its wind-scoops, columns and crenulations. The Sharjah Fort has been updated to include exciting interactive features, audio-visuals, reconstructions and stories taking visitors on an engaging journey through two centuries of history offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the history that has shaped the emirate and its people.

“Al Hisn is the heart of Sharjah; it’s been the seat of government, the centre of defence and the centre of justice in Sharjah,” said Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department (SMD).

“The narratives provided by members of the community are invaluable in terms of piecing together Sharjah’s history. The people of this emirate are part of the fabric of its story, so connecting with the community is a vitally important part of what we do.

“Visitors will be able to tour the fort’s galleries and really get a feel for what life was like here. We’ve used technology and new interactive elements to enrich the visitor experience and create a modern museum of international standard.”

Upon his arrival at the fort, Dr Shaikh Sultan was welcomed by Shaikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Urban Planning Council (SUPC); Salem Abdulrahman Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Ruler’s Office;  Abdullah M. Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information; Ali Al Marri, General Manager of the Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies, Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department and other senior officials.

The fort is open to the public Saturday to Thursday from 8am to 8pm and Friday from 4pm to 8pm.

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