Undated aerial view of Qasr al Hosn, shot in the 1980s. Courtesy Al Ittihad
Undated aerial view of Qasr al Hosn, shot in the 1980s. Courtesy Al Ittihad
Undated aerial view of Qasr al Hosn, shot in the 1980s. Courtesy Al Ittihad
Undated aerial view of Qasr al Hosn, shot in the 1980s. Courtesy Al Ittihad

A complete transformation in less than one lifetime


James Langton
  • English
  • Arabic

1949

The first known aerial photograph of Abu Dhabi taken in 1949 shows Qasr Al Hosn about a decade after it was substantially rebuilt and enlarged by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nayhan. Ronald Codrai© TCA Abu Dhabi
The first known aerial photograph of Abu Dhabi taken in 1949 shows Qasr Al Hosn about a decade after it was substantially rebuilt and enlarged by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nayhan. Ronald Codrai© TCA Abu Dhabi

The first known aerial photograph of Abu Dhabi shows Qasr Al Hosn about a decade after it was substantially rebuilt and enlarged by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nayhan.

The fort sits on the very edge of the town; beyond only desert until the lone tower at the Maqta crossing.

These were testing times for Abu Dhabi. Oil had yet to be discovered and the collapse of the pearling industry led to great hardship. Many inhabitants were leaving to other parts of the Arabian Gulf, to find work in countries where oil's bounty was bringing prosperity.

1964

This aerial photograph was taken in 1964, the year oil was first exported by Abu Dhabi. The town is expanding around Qasr Al Hosn, with many more modern concrete buildings, especially along the shoreline. Rene Burri / Magnum Photos
This aerial photograph was taken in 1964, the year oil was first exported by Abu Dhabi. The town is expanding around Qasr Al Hosn, with many more modern concrete buildings, especially along the shoreline. Rene Burri / Magnum Photos

Another aerial photograph, this time taken in the year oil was first exported by Abu Dhabi. Its impact can already be seen. The town is expanding around Qasr Al Hosn, with many more modern concrete buildings, especially along the shoreline, where a pier has been built to handle larger vessels for the first time.

In a few years, all this will be swept away, as Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan implements plans for the building of a new city on a grid plan. Only Qasr Al Hosn will remain.

circa 1969

Ariel view of Abu Dhabi and Al Hosn Palace. Courtesy Al Ittihad
Ariel view of Abu Dhabi and Al Hosn Palace. Courtesy Al Ittihad

Abu Dhabi is now a modern Arab city, even if Qasr Al Hosn still sits at its southern edge. Sheikh Zayed is the Ruler, and the old town, with its coral homes and arish huts, has been swept away by progress.

Land reclamation along the shore is creating the modern Corniche, while high-rise offices and new villas spring up everywhere.

Flanked for the first time by Al Nasr and Zayed the First (popularly called Electra), the palace is now a centre of government and will eventually house the Centre for Documentation and Research. These newer quarters have electricity and air conditioning, although the older parts remain untouched.

1980s

Undated aerial view of Qasr al Hosn, shot in the 1980s. Courtesy Al Ittihad
Undated aerial view of Qasr al Hosn, shot in the 1980s. Courtesy Al Ittihad

The view to the sea is long lost. Instead Qasr Al Hosn is surrounded by high-rise office buildings and residential towers.

Lush landscaping fills the inner courtyards and the grounds of the fort, with the Cultural Centre visible on the lower right side of the photo.

Essentially, this view of Qasr Al Hosn remains unchanged to this day, except that the buildings which dwarf the old palace grow ever taller.

Today the fort is partly hidden behind protective hoarding, watched over by architects and conservationists as plans are drawn up for its restoration.

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Timeline

1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line

1962
250 GTO is unveiled

1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company

1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens

1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made

1987
F40 launched

1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent

2002
The Enzo model is announced

2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi

2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled

2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives

2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company

2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street

2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary

Schedule:

Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)

Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)

Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)

Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)

Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four

Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai) 

Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)

Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)

Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 28: Final (Dubai)

The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

If you go

Flying

Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.

 

Touring

Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Monster

Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington 

3/5