Dubai Museum is the main museum in Dubai of United Arab Emirates. It is the oldest existing building in Dubai located in the Al Fahidi Fort. It was built in 1787. The Dubai Museum provides a historical glimpse into the past of Dubai and an entertaining time for all who come to visit.
Entrance to the galleries is located at the tower on the south-western corner of the fort. After descending the spiral stairs visitors enter the first gallery, where old maps of Dubai are displayed. Next is the video room, showing a updated video that depicts Dubai from before the discovery of oil in the 1960s to the current day. Below it there is a map that shows the urban scape of the city growing in sync with the timeline of the video. Then Entering the museum you step into the fort’s central courtyard, flanked by a few rooms containing exhibits of folklore and weaponry. Assorted wooden boats lie marooned around the courtyard, revealing the different types of vessel used in old Dubai, including a traditional abra, not so very different from those still in service on the Creek today.
The museum’s real attraction, however, is its sprawling underground section, a buried wonderland which offers as comprehensive an overview of the traditional life, crafts and culture of Dubai as you’ll find anywhere. A sequence of rooms – full of the sound effects and life-size mannequins without which no Dubai museum would be complete – cover every significant aspect of traditional Dubaian life, including Islam, local architecture (and wind towers), traditional dress and games, camels and falconry. Interesting short films on various subjects are shown in many of the rooms, including fascinating historic footage of pearl divers at work. There’s also a line of shops featuring various traditional trades and crafts – carpenters, blacksmiths, potters, tailors, spice merchants and so on. It’s kitsch but undeniably engaging, populated with colourful mannequins in traditional dress, although the old black-and-white video clips of artisans at work add a slightly spooky touch.
Hours of operation:
8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday-Thursday;
2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays
Ramadan period:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday-Thursday;
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays
Admission fees:
Adults: Dhs 3; Children: Dhs 1
Contact information:
971 4 3531862
