The world watched as the UAE welcomed its newest cultural symbol this week, when the Museum of the Future finally opened its doors.
But just across Sheikh Zayed Road, in the historic Al Fahidi district, Dubai's oldest cultural symbol still stands strong. Built in 1787 by the Dubai ruling family, it was originally used to guard the landward approaches to the area.
In 1969, members of the Dubai ruling family sent a letter to Sheikh Badr Mohammad Al Sabah, head of the office of state in Kuwait, asking for the help of a museum expert to transform the use of the building. Two years later, in 1971, the fort was renovated for use as a museum, and currently houses the national Dubai Museum.
Exhibitions and displays depicting pre-oil Dubai life were set up in the central square of the fort, with rooms of the former majlis and living quarters transformed into distinct decades of the emirate.
There were also galleries recreating scenes from the Dubai Creek, traditional Emirati houses, mosques, souqs, date farms, desert and marine life.
One of the old rooms was transformed into an exhibition portraying the pearl diving industry, including sets of pearl-merchants' weights, scales and sieves.
The museum is temporarily closed, however, for renovations.
In January, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced major renovation plans for Al Fahidi Fort.
Sheikh Hamdan said the building was a historical witness to the emirate's transformation and it was vital to preserve it for future generations and to carry on the work started by Sheikh Rashid, who ruled Dubai from 1958 to 1990.
"Preserving the heritage ... of the emirate is an integral part of our work," Sheikh Hamdan said. "Our heritage represents our values that we cherish and preserve."
He said the fort will continue in its role as a pillar of the cultural scene, although did not offer any further details of what the renovation would entail or when work would be complete.
Scroll through the gallery to see photos of inside Museum of the Future:
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The Museum of the Future opened in Dubai. The emirate is focusing on 'industries of the future' to boost its economy. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Avatar Aya speaks to guests as they go to the first chapter, OSS Hope space station. -
The museum gives visitors a glimpse of Dubai in 2071. -
Visitors travel to the first chapter, OSS Hope. -
Visitors look at key elements of the solar system. -
Visitors become Mars colony ambassadors to Earth. -
Visitors look at a model of OSS Hope. -
Vault of Life uses cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technology to introduce visitors into an interactive experience where they collect samples from nature. -
Their task is to contribute to efforts being made to restore the natural environment, rehabilitate the forest with its plants and animals, and help to repair the damage inflicted. -
The nature simulator allows visitors to list the living organisms they contributed to saving virtually. -
Visitors enjoy the second chapter, the Heal Institute. -
The Heal Institute is a research centre focused on preserving the planet's ecosystem through the use of the latest AI and bio-technology. -
The library, where arguably the museum’s most stunning feature lies. -
Tomorrow Today exhibition includes advanced and pioneering technology that can help to shape the future of humanity. -
Teslaglove that allows you to feel virtual reality objects. -
A full metal jacket, made of 65% copper and resistant to viruses, is on display at the Tomorrow Today section. -
MARS, Modular Artificial Reef Structure, at the Tomorrow Today section. -
Visitors in the Tomorrow Today section. -
The Future Heroes floor has been designed for children under the age of 10 to stimulate scientific curiosity. -
It takes young people and younger generations on a future journey that expands their positive view of our world. -
It also enhances their confidence in their abilities to make positive changes. -
The children's floor aims to consolidate their belief in the potential of humanity to affect significant change and reinforce their conviction that nothing is impossible with science. -
Al Waha focuses on health and wellness, offering visitors an opportunity to reconnect with themselves, away from the distraction of external influences and always-on technologies. -
It takes them to a world that simulates the senses and heightens their response mechanism to external influences. -
This allows them to meditate and enhance the natural balance within them without the use of technology. -
The Connection Therapy in Al Waha. -
The Museum of the Future will be a space for knowledge that gathers intellectuals and futurists from all over the world. -
A drone of an octopus at the Museum of the Future. -
A drone of a penguin at the Museum of the Future. -
The Museum of the Future in Dubai opened its doors to the public on Wednesday.
