Qasr Al Hosn to open in Abu Dhabi after 11-year revamp

This historic site tells the story of the great leadership of the UAE.-Photo by Ryan Lim/Khaleej Times

After more than 11 years of spectacular transformation, Qasr Al Hosn, the first structure built in UAE Capital, will finally open its doors to the public on Friday.
On Tuesday, the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT - Abu Dhabi) opened the ancestral home of the Al Nahyan family and the symbolic heart of Abu Dhabi to the media. It showcases the UAE's rich culture and history, as well as some personal possessions that belonged to the Founding Father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Al Hosn is considered to be Abu Dhabi's original urban block, comprising four interrelated components: The historic Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the National Consultative Council building, Cultural Foundation, and the House of Artisans.
Historically, the building was constructed in the early 1790s as a conical watchtower, to defend growing settlement established on the island and overlooked the coastal trade routes.
Qasr Al Hosn comprises two major iconic buildings: The Inner Fort (originally constructed in 1795), and the Outer Palace (1939-45).
Over the centuries, it has been home to the ruling family, the seat of government, a consultative council and a national archive, and now, it stands as the nation's living memorial and the narrator of Abu Dhabi's history.
Transformed into a museum in 2018, following more than 11 years of intensive conservation and restoration work, Qasr Al Hosn is a national monument that encapsulates the development of Abu Dhabi from a settlement reliant on fishing and pearling in the 18^th century, to a modern, global metropolis with displays of artefacts and archival materials dating back to as far as 6000BC.
The official launch on Friday will thus be a celebration of the emirate's history, with a week of public events and programmes to mark the occasion.
For future generations
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the DCT - Abu Dhabi, told Khaleej Times that Qasr Al Hosn is not just a historic landmark, but an informative and educational project that future generations will learn from.
"Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest standing building in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The watchtower has been standing since 1760 and has been a protective fort for Abu Dhabi and the UAE."
"This historic site tells the story about the great leadership of the UAE, the people of the UAE and the strong women of the UAE."
Al Mubarak pointed out that the project reveals how the UAE government works tirelessly to preserve the culture and history of the nation.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, undersecretary of the DCT - Abu Dhabi, said Qasr Al Hosn is an imperative part of the UAE's history and marks the story of the beginning of Abu Dhabi Island.
"Qasr Al Hosn talks about how the fort started as a watchtower to defend the initial settlement, and then evolved into the other structures - the Inner Fort and the Outer Palace."
"It holds a special place in all our hearts," he added.
Al Mubarak pointed out that visitors will be able to witness all the important phases of Qasr Al Hosn and what it encountered throughout history.
"Visitors will also see what I call the 'modest beginnings,' how the people used to live, especially members of the ruling family."
He stressed that the conservation efforts took more than a decade, because it was "a very delicate process".
"We wanted to ensure all the original raw materials that went into the fort were retained. We managed to have a standing solid fort that will stand for every future generation to benefit from," he told Khaleej Times.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com