The National Museum of Dubai or it is commonly referred to as the Dubai Museum, is one of the top attractions in the marvelous city of Dubai. Whenever people talk about a vacation in Dubai. They always mention Burj Khalifa and the other breathtaking skylines along with the Dubai Desert ride. But a trip to the desert city is incomplete until you had a historical lesson. The Dubai Museum is one of those monuments which will leave you spellbound. The level of detailing and historical significance is very impressive.

Here are a few things you need to know about the Museum:

A Brief History:

The museum is built to house “AI Fahidi Fort,” the fort is one of the finest illustrations of an ancient desert fort in the Middle East. The Fort was built in 1787 and is one of the oldest in the area. It was initially constructed as a barricade to protect the area from sea pirates and neighboring tribes.

As time passed, the fort turned into an administrative seat and a residence for the ruling family. After which it served as a prison and a garrison. Then in 1971, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum converted the fort into a museum.

Journey back in Time:

The museum was constructed with the intention to take people back in time and experience an Arab lifestyle. You can see that when you enter the museum’s main gate, as it is guarded by two cannons. As it used to be in the days before. The two cannons were to defend the gate and the nearby harbor.

Then comes the museum’s large courtyard, which is a long traditional dhow. As you look around, you will be blown away with the incredibly traditional and extraordinary charm of the place. Then are a number of small wooden boats and a wooden house called Barasti houses.

Alongside them are AI Areesh (Summerhouse), which had their own air-conditioning system that cooled the house and ran without electricity. You can experience this AC system in the central courtyard bounding the galleries. There is also an archeological ruin that traces back to 2500 BC. The ruin is believed to belong to Al-Qusais, Hatta, Al Soffoh, and Al Jumeirah.

The museum also depicts the region before pre-oil dominance and the once flourishing pearl farming industry. You can view an ancient collection of weapons, which include silver khanjars and camel bone weaponry. Other popular exhibits are stone inscriptions, paintings, bridal wear and jewelry, stone and pottery items, musical instruments, and other items related to traditional Arab life of that time.

Life-Size Dioramas:

Let’s move to something more intriguing, and it’s time to visit the many galleries in the fort. They provide a comprehensive intro in the daily lifestyle of Dubai through many series of life-size dioramas through ancient Arab houses, mosque, date farms, souks and desert life, etc.

Multimedia Presentation:

No one wants to see a presentation on vacation, but this is a Multimedia Presentation shown in the museum’s basement area. It is quite interesting and well-researched. It shows you the transformation of the city from a small, modest town into a prominent pearl farming center to what we see now Dubai – a highly sophisticated global city.

Location:

The Museum is located in Al Fahidi Historical District. The area is known for the charming locales and the traditional buildings that have been restored to give the region its original Arabic flavor. Near to the fort is the scenic Dubai Creek and Old Dubai’s traditional souks, which gives you extra reasons to visit the fort.

How to reach Dubai Museum?

Now that you are excited about all the things inside the museum and thinking of visit it. Here are a few ways –

• Via Metra: Go to the nearest metro station and take a ticket to Al Fahidi Station. The station is on the green line in zone 5. After which there is a 12 min walk to the museum.
• Via Traditional boat: If you want to see a scenic Dubai creek, then go for this ride. Make your way to Deira via the metro and then walk all the way to Deira Old Souk Abra Station, which will drop you near the fort.

The Entrance fee in the fort is 3 Dirhams for Adults, 1 Dirham for Children. While the fort is opened from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm on all days except Friday. When it open from 2:30 to 8:30 pm. If you book a package, then the Dubai Museum will be included, but you should check it for assurance.

As you can imagine, the Dubai Museum is a captivating fort and a place worth visiting.