Cultural capital
History comes alive at Abu Dhabi’s renovated Qasr Al Hosn – the oldest fort in the UAE and the seat of the former Ruler
History comes alive at Abu dhabi's newly renovated Qasr al Hosn - the oldest fort in the UAE and the seat of the former Ruler, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Designed to offer a bold new vision of the past, present and future of Abu Dhabi, Al Hosn is a shining example of how an exquisite renovation can lead to economic, social and cultural benefits for generations to come. The newly renovated and opened urban centre features four interrelated components: the historic Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the National Consultative Council building, the Cultural Foundation and the House of Artisans.
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “Qasr Al Hosn embodies the heritage of Abu Dhabi… we are proud to re-introduce this cultural monument after it has been preserved, restored and renovated to become part of Al Hosn, an unparalleled cultural destination in the heart of the city.”
Now transformed into a national monument following several years of rigorous and ambitious conservation works, Qasr Al Hosn is a monument that traces the city’s development, from a settlement reliant on fishing and pearling in the 18th century to a modern, global metropolis. Visitors may also view the historic National Consultative Council building, site of the early discussions and negotiations on the unification of the emirates.
Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest and most significant heritage site in Abu Dhabi city, and encompasses two iconic buildings: the Inner Fort, which was built around 1795 to protect the settlement of Abu Dhabi that was established on the island in the 1760s; and the Outer Palace, which was built in the 1940s. A witness to Abu Dhabi’s vibrant history over the past two centuries, it has previously been home to the ruling family, the seat of government, the consultative council and the national archives.
The Inner Fort exhibition traces the story of Qasr Al Hosn and the many historic events it has witnessed, explores the settlement of Abu Dhabi island and everyday life in the fort, and shows how this historic landmark was once both a ruling family home and a busy administrative centre. The Outer Palace was constructed by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the 1940s. The rooms display the stories of the people who lived in the palace and their everyday lives, and visitors can explore the personal quarters of Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan or take part in the Ruler’s Majlis. Films, interactive displays and oral histories bring these stories to life, together with original artefacts and treasures from the past.
The architects at CEBRA, preservation architects at Elgaard Architecture and SLA landscape architects were all commissioned to reinstate the Qasr al Hosn Fort as Abu Dhabi’s cultural heart. This was no easy task. Located on a 400-by-400-metre site, it’s the city’s oldest building, which began life in the 18th century as a coral and sea stone watchtower built by the Bani Yas tribes in Abu Dhabi.
The Al Hosn masterplan was created so it divided the site diagonally into two areas (a 140,000 m² masterplan and a 22,500 m² landscape design with new buildings) with distinctive identities: the past and present.