Qasr al-Hosn

About Qasr al-Hosn

Historic site in Sheikh Zayed the First Street

Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi and the city's most important heritage landmark, in the heart of downtown. It began in 1761 as a conical watchtower, built under the supervision of Mohammed Al Bastaki to guard the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island. In 1793 the ruler Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan enlarged it into a small fort that became the ruling sheikh's permanent residence, and it took its present form after a major extension in the late 1930s, paid for by revenue from Abu Dhabi's first oil concession. It remained the ruler's palace and seat of government until 1966. It is also called the White Fort, as it was painted white during the 1976 to 1983 renovations with a plaster of limestone, sand and seashells that gleams in the sun. After years of restoration it reopened to visitors and now tells the story of Abu Dhabi from pearling village to modern capital, with refurnished rooms, photographs and films, and objects of the Al Nahyan family from the time of Sheikh Zayed the First; its oldest piece is around three thousand years old. The surrounding area, the Al Hosn cultural district, also includes the Cultural Foundation, the House of Artisans showing traditional Emirati crafts, and the coffee house where Arabic coffee is prepared.

Where:

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates