Ras Al Khaimah heritage sites tour – in pictures

  • Al Jazirah Al Hamra and its fort in Ras Al Khaimah. The once abandoned pearling village has been restored. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Al Jazirah Al Hamra and its fort in Ras Al Khaimah. The once abandoned pearling village has been restored. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Christian Velde, chief archaeologist at RAK's department of antiquities and museums.
    Christian Velde, chief archaeologist at RAK's department of antiquities and museums.
  • The Bin Mahzam mosque in Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
    The Bin Mahzam mosque in Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
  • Mr Velde shows some of the restoration work at the fort.
    Mr Velde shows some of the restoration work at the fort.
  • The house of Abdulla Al Karim Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
    The house of Abdulla Al Karim Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
  • The wind tower inside the house of Abdulla Al Karim at Al Jazirah Al Hamra. They were an early form of air-conditioning.
    The wind tower inside the house of Abdulla Al Karim at Al Jazirah Al Hamra. They were an early form of air-conditioning.
  • The area around Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
    The area around Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
  • Part of the renovated area near Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
    Part of the renovated area near Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
  • Mr Velde talks about the architecture of the homes.
    Mr Velde talks about the architecture of the homes.
  • The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.
    The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.
  • Inside the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.
    Inside the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.
  • View of the boundary wall and traditional architecture at the museum.
    View of the boundary wall and traditional architecture at the museum.
  • Traditional boats used for fishing and pearl diving on display at the museum.
    Traditional boats used for fishing and pearl diving on display at the museum.
  • Pottery on display at the museum.
    Pottery on display at the museum.
  • The museum also has numerous displays such as pottery sherds.
    The museum also has numerous displays such as pottery sherds.
  • A traditional door at the museum.
    A traditional door at the museum.
  • Tour guide Bilal Al Khaled shows different types of pearls at the Al Suwaidi pearl farm in Ras Al Khaimah.
    Tour guide Bilal Al Khaled shows different types of pearls at the Al Suwaidi pearl farm in Ras Al Khaimah.
  • The Al Suwaidi pearl farm is reached via a short boat trip.
    The Al Suwaidi pearl farm is reached via a short boat trip.
  • A boat used to take tourists to the pearl farm.
    A boat used to take tourists to the pearl farm.
  • The farm has been producing tens of thousands of oysters each year, 60 per cent of which create pearls.
    The farm has been producing tens of thousands of oysters each year, 60 per cent of which create pearls.
  • Mr Al Khaled explaining the oyster-breeding technique at the farm.
    Mr Al Khaled explaining the oyster-breeding technique at the farm.
  • Pearls displayed at Al Suwaidi pearl farm.
    Pearls displayed at Al Suwaidi pearl farm.
  • A traditional boat used for fishing and pearl diving at the pearl farm.
    A traditional boat used for fishing and pearl diving at the pearl farm.
  • Al Suwaidi pearl farm in Ras Al Khaimah.
    Al Suwaidi pearl farm in Ras Al Khaimah.
  • Dhayah Fort was built in the 19th century.
    Dhayah Fort was built in the 19th century.
  • The view from Dhayah Fort.
    The view from Dhayah Fort.
  • The view from Dhayah Fort in Ras Al Khaimah.
    The view from Dhayah Fort in Ras Al Khaimah.
  • The entrance to Dhayah Fort.
    The entrance to Dhayah Fort.
  • Mr Velde showing the tombs at Shimal.
    Mr Velde showing the tombs at Shimal.
  • The area is still being excavated.
    The area is still being excavated.
  • The area around the Shimal tombs.
    The area around the Shimal tombs.
  • The megalithic tombs were the burial places of up to 40 people each.
    The megalithic tombs were the burial places of up to 40 people each.
  • The Shimal area offers a beautiful view of RAK.
    The Shimal area offers a beautiful view of RAK.