The Zayed National Museum is set to open in 2022 after ten years of delay, due to the catastrophic and costly war in Yemen, with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi now confirming that construction is underway in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District on Saadiyat Island.
Zayed National Museum will be the premier museum in the United Arab Emirates. It will tell the story of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004), and provide a comprehensive overview of the natural and human history of the UAE. Zayed National Museum celebrates the life and achievements of the founding father of the nation, encourages greater understanding of the history, culture and geography of the UAE; and examines its place in, and connections with, the Middle East and the wider world.
The Saadiyat Island Cultural District has been allocated as the site of location for the Zayed National Museum’s construction and it is designed to showcase the history, rich culture and socioeconomic transformation of the Emirates world. This museum aims to blur the boundaries and serve as an important site of learning and cultural exchange for the visitors and residents of the UAE. A definite must visit if you’re looking for a sneak peek about the founding fathers of the UAE.
With permanent galleries displaying the best of national collections alongside loans from world-famous museums, Zayed National Museum is the place to be for a crystal clear understanding of the emirates history. Expect a unique experience that thoroughly engages the mind, probing it for questions and encouraging discourse, while building on the essence of the Founding Father’s personality and vision.
The highlight here is undoubtedly the core gallery of the museum - ‘Sheikh Zayed: Life and Times’ which follows the Sheikh’s journey in the unification of the UAE. Catch glimpses of photographs, national treasures, key documents, and personal effects belonging to the late ruler.
Zayed National Museum’s Architecture & Design
In November 2010, the designs for the Zayed National Museum were officially unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. Designed by the landscape architect Atelier Dreiseitl and Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Foster + Partners, the museum is said to have five solar thermal towers acting as chimneys. The falcon wings shaped towers are designed in a way to honor the Sheikh's love for falconry and therefore appears as the feather of a falcon. A special indoor area is dedicated to a live display of hunting birds, one of the many hobbies of the Sheikh. Each steel feather rises up to an altitude of 125 meters, comprising of a gallery showcasing the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates.
The Zayed National Museum’s architectural feat aims to blend a highly efficient, contemporary form with traditional Arabic designs and bring forth a museum that is welcoming, sustainable and culturally rich. To commemorate Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and his love for nature, the museum is set within a landscaped garden, with a timeline on defining moments of his life.
The building’s ground floor will boast 2 galleries showcasing the life of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, while the first floor will feature 4 pod-shaped galleries detailing the history of the country.
First stage of Zayed National Museum construction on Saadiyat Island.
Zayed National Museum Galleries & Collections
Zayed National Museum's collection is touted to include the oldest pearl in the world, which was found on Marawah Island last year, as well as a necklace given by Sheikh Zayed to Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum during her visit to Abu Dhabi in 1971.
The museum consists of seven permanent galleries located at the base of each tower as well as an exclusive exhibition program where you can look into the history, heritage, and culture of the UAE. Each gallery is inspired by the ideals of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan like his belief in education, heritage, conservation and culture, all derived from his humanitarianism and deep faith in the ideals of his country and men. Here's what you can expect from each of the 7 permanent galleries at Zayed National Museum.
Sheikh Zayed: Life and Times
This gallery is the main focal point of the museum and follows Sheikh Zayed's journey in the unification of the UAE. Visitors will be introduced to an original narrative through photographs, national treasures, key documents, and personal effects belonging to the late ruler.
Falconry and Conservation Gallery
This gallery celebrates Sheikh Zayed’s passion for falconry alongside the natural world and its conservation.
Land and Water Gallery
This gallery explores the natural resources of the UAE, its cultivation, and trade.
People and Heritage Gallery
One of the most awaited galleries, this space showcases the traditional values of the UAE, which reflect its political and cultural life today. These values emphasize the importance of human relationships, warm hospitality, and living in harmony with nature.
History and Society Gallery
This gallery uses archeological evidence and historical records to charter the course of human settlement in the area, from the Stone Age to the creation of the modern state by Sheikh Zayed.
Science and Learning Gallery
This collection focuses on Sheikh Zayed’s passion for education which transformed a traditional society into a modern one where literacy and numeracy are available to all. This space also explores various Arabic disciplines of language, literature, navigation, and medicine, and the influence they have had on the world.
Visitors will be introduced to an original narrative through photographs, national treasures, key documents, and personal effects belonging to the late ruler.
Faith and Islam Gallery
This gallery sheds light on the role of faith in Sheikh Zayed’s life, which ultimately drove his humanitarianism and vision for the future of the nation.
The museum also flaunts a collection of different spaces for performances. You’ll find a colossal auditorium lined with a variety of Emirati textiles, providing an evocative space for films and presentations. Make sure you don’t miss a show here if it coincides with your visit!
The lobby area covers more informal spaces for a variety of cafes, shops, and venues for music, dance and poetry readings. Round up in a circle and enjoy the atmosphere and extravaganza of traditional performances. You’ll feel like an Arab in the yesteryears.
The restaurant’s interior design draws the opulence and warmth of the Bedouin tent, with tastefully designed furnishings. The VIP spaces open onto a beautiful central courtyard, offering you a breathtaking view of the wind towers and museum in the foreground.
The Sheikh Zayed Library
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a man of wide learning and great wisdom, and to commemorate his love for books and learning, the Zayed National Museum will house a state of the art library within the museum. This particular educational attraction will offer a platform for visitors to deep-dive into historical resources.
Zayed National Museum Location
The Zayed National Museum which is being constructed on Saadiyat Island Cultural District is located 500 meters off the Abu Dhabi coastline and is the single largest multipurpose development in the Gulf. Seven districts have been arranged in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District which will also include the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a Performing Arts Center and Maritime Museum as well as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum. This development for the UAE is significant because this is the only place in the Middle East where the history of the entire region can be examined and it is very important that it is applicable for a proper understanding of the region’s history be made accessible for the public.
For more information on Zayed National Museum, visit www.zayednationalmuseum.ae
