• Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tours the Qasr Al Hosn Festival. All photos by Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tours the Qasr Al Hosn Festival. All photos by Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Performers participate in a show during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits the cultural centre at the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits the cultural centre at the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed speaks with an artist while visiting the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed speaks with an artist while visiting the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed speaks with an artist while visiting the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed speaks with an artist while visiting the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits the House of Artisans at the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits the House of Artisans at the Qasr Al Hosn Festival.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed views restoration work during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed views restoration work during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, views restoration work during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
    Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, views restoration work during the opening of Qasr Al Hosn.
  • Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of Transport, and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, left; and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan view a display in the Qasr Al Hosn exhibition and museum.
    Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of Transport, and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, left; and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan view a display in the Qasr Al Hosn exhibition and museum.
  • A general view of Qasr Al Hosn.
    A general view of Qasr Al Hosn.

Heritage

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reopens Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi

Crown Prince says site can be place to recall UAE's heritage, culture, values and civilisation to future generations

The National

December 06, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn

Related: The historic heart of the Hosn neighbourhood beats again

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said Qasr Al Hosn will be a place to showcase and recall the country's inspiring stories of old as he re-opened Abu Dhabi's historic landmark.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, toured the site on Wednesday night.

"We are inspired by the values of the grandfathers and founders, and we recall their inspiring stories and convey their heritage, culture, values and civilisation to future generations," he said.

The site which has been closed by more than a decade was renovated by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. It included four connected areas:

  • The Al Hosn Palace
  • The National Consultative Council
  • The Cultural Foundation
  • The House of Artisans

Qasr Al Hosn is located in the centre of the city of Abu Dhabi, transformed from a centre of fishing and pearl fishing to one of the world’s modern international cities.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said that the area showcases Abu Dhabi’s ancient history, as the fathers and grandfathers built the landmark with determination while pointing out that through their cohesion and solidarity, and due to their sacrifices, everyone is now living in a modern country that has a prestigious stature among nations.

Qasr Al Hosn will celebrate its re-opening with a week-long schedule of events. Free tours, events and musical performances will bring the site’s history to life and offer visitors a glimpse into the story of Abu Dhabi and its people.

First look around Qasr Al Hosn

Your guide to Qasr Al Hosn's opening week of festivities 

Qasr Al Hosn opens to the public this weekend with a full line-up of celebrations.

It will be open from Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 10pm and on the weekends from 10am to 11pm.

The area is open on all sides to pedestrians, embedding it in the urban footprint of the city.

Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest building on Abu Dhabi Island. Reem Mohammed / The National
Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest building on Abu Dhabi Island. Reem Mohammed / The National

Take a look: The first glimpse of the newly renovated Qasr Al Hosn

  • Qasr Al Hosn is the ancestral home of the Al Nahyan and the oldest building on Abu Dhabi Island. All photos by Reem Mohammed
    Qasr Al Hosn is the ancestral home of the Al Nahyan and the oldest building on Abu Dhabi Island. All photos by Reem Mohammed
  • Officials gather near the entrance.
    Officials gather near the entrance.
  • A flag pole is silhouetted by the sun.
    A flag pole is silhouetted by the sun.
  • An image of Sheikh Shakbout is inside the fortress.
    An image of Sheikh Shakbout is inside the fortress.
  • The fort is shown with some of Abu Dhabi's taller buildings in the background.
    The fort is shown with some of Abu Dhabi's taller buildings in the background.
  • A visitor wanders around the site.
    A visitor wanders around the site.
  • The fort has been completely rejuvenated.
    The fort has been completely rejuvenated.
  • A visitor wanders around the site.
    A visitor wanders around the site.
  • The site is intended to be a gathering place for the community.
    The site is intended to be a gathering place for the community.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council;  Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed , Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region; Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed , Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Issa bin Zayed; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs;  Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court; Sheikh Theyab bin Zayed; H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs, ZHO, and Sheikh Diab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Department of Transport.

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Read more

Salama Al Shamsi appointed director of Qasr Al Hosn

Qasr Al Hosn: the historic Abu Dhabi landmark will reopen after a decade on December 7

Qasr Al Hosn promotional video unveiled by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
UAE