Dubai is understood for its record-breaking buildings, luxurious actual property and fast transformation right into a thriving metropolis. However, the town’s historical past may be traced again to the 1830s, when the Maktoum household arrived and settled on the banks ofwhat is now the Dubai Creek, a pure saltwater inlet.
A Brief History of Dubai
From a small fishing village, Dubai grew right into a regionally essential port city with a inhabitants of round 20,000 by the Nineteen Twenties. However, the collapse of the pearl trade and subsequent financial despair hit the town laborious.
After the invention of oil within the Sixties, Dubai actually started its fast modernisation. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, one of many founding fathers of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai on the time, recognised that oil was a restricted useful resource for the town.
During his 32-year rule, Sheikh Rashid’s ambition and imaginative and prescient drove the event of essential infrastructure tasks equivalent to Port Rashid, Shindagha tunnel, Jebel Ali Port, and the enlargement of the Creek. These tasks helped to modernise the town and set up it as a serious financial hub within the area.
As Dubai has continued to broaden in the direction of Abu Dhabi, the world across the Creek has change into often known as “Old Dubai”. This space was as soon as the centre of the town, with the districts of Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south taking part in a key function in industrial commerce.
Today, guests can nonetheless get a way of the town’s historical past and tradition by visiting these essential components of Dubai. In Bur Dubai and significantly within the Al Shindagha and Al Fahidi districts, buildings have been preserved and restored in response to conventional structure. These areas supply a glimpse into Dubai’s previous and the wealthy cultural traditions of the town.
If you wish to delve deeper into the historical past of Dubai and Emirati tradition, the next are our prime locations to go to.
In this information to Dubai historic locations, we’ll cowl:
Al Shindagha Museum
Al Shindagha Museum is devoted to the historical past of Dubai and Emirati tradition. The historic buildings have been restored and preserved with a view to showcase conventional Emirati structure. Some of the foundations of the buildings date again to pre- 1900s.
A number of trendy parts have been included into the structure to replace and innovate the customer expertise. Like the neighbouring areas of Al Fahidi and Al Seef, you’ll really feel transported again in time, whenever you wander the slender lanes between every constructing.
As a customer, you begin on the Welcome Centre, and you’re then invited to go to themed pavilions, every devoted to totally different facets of Emirati historical past, life and tradition. Highlights embody the restored Maktoum household residence (pictured), giving a charming perception into this household dynasty, and the Perfume home, the place you’ll uncover the importance of scents in Emirati tradition and the way they’re created.
The museum is residence to a terrific choice of artefacts permitting guests to discover the historical past of Dubai and Emirati tradition.
Opening hours for Al Shindagha Museum:
- 10:00 AM to eight:00 PM every single day. Please be aware final entry to the museum is at 7:00 PM
Ticket costs for Al Shindagha Museum:
- Adults 50 AED
- Students (5-24years) 20 AED
Learn extra at Al Shindagha Museum
From Al Shindagha, enterprise into neighbouring Al Fahidi, the place you’ll find a number of extra historic locations to go to.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (beforehand often known as Al Bastakiya) is the oldest a part of the town, straightforward to discover on foot.
Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum
Dubai Museum is positioned within the Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest constructing in Dubai, relationship again to 1787.
In 1971, the fort was transformed right into a museum with the goal of preserving the cultural heritage of Dubai and the UAE. The museum shows a spread of displays that depict the normal lifestyle within the area, together with the native historical past, tradition, and customs.
Please be aware that the Museum is at the moment closed till additional discover as a consequence of renovation.
Don’t fear in regards to the museum being closed; there’s much more to discover on foot within the surrounding space. We have an entire information to exploring the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood right here, or learn on for among the historic highlights.
Coffee Museum
Dedicated to all issues espresso, this museum is properly price a go to. Coffee performs a giant half in Emirati tradition together with the broader Middle East, and right here you may study all in regards to the cultural significance of this drink.
The Coffee Museum is housed in a conventional constructing with a wind tower, typical of the Gulf area. The museum covers the historical past of espresso from its origins in Ethiopia to its unfold around the globe. It features a vary of artefacts and gear associated to the espresso trade, equivalent to vintage espresso grinders, roasters, and pots.
Visitors can even study in regards to the varied varieties of espresso beans and brewing strategies and may take part in academic workshops and tastings to study extra in regards to the historical past and tradition of espresso.
Opening hours for the Coffee Museums:
- Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to five:00 PM
- Fridays closed
Learn extra at Coffee Museum
Coin Museum
The Coin Museum is devoted to the historical past and evolution of foreign money within the UAE and the broader area. The museum encompasses a assortment of cash, foreign money notes, and different monetary devices from the UAE and different nations within the Middle East.
It is a well-liked vacationer attraction in Dubai and is understood for its informative displays and interactive shows. Visitors will study in regards to the early use of gold, silver, and copper cash, in addition to the newer introduction of paper foreign money.
The museum additionally has displays on the function of cash in society and the event of monetary methods within the area.
Opening hours for the Coin Museum:
- Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 11.30 AM
- Saturday & Sunday Closed
Learn extra at Coin Museum
Arabian Tea House
This café opened in 1997 as Basta Arts Café, when Al Fahidi was nonetheless referred to as Al Bastakia. It has since change into a cultural establishment with quite a few branches within the UAE and overseas.
Enjoy conventional Emirati delicacies and hospitality within the authentic department of the teahouse. It is positioned inside a peaceable courtyard, the place you may escape the warmth as you chill out within the shade with a chilly drink or a conventional espresso.
Do remember that it might get busy, and the café doesn’t settle for reservations from Friday to Sunday.
Note that there are actually a number of branches of the Arabian Tea House. The authentic is discovered within the Al Faihidi Historical neighbourhood, however additional branches serving the identical delicacies may be present in Jumeirah Beach, Mercato Mall, Jumeirah Archaeological website and Souk Al Shansiyah (Sharjah).
Opening hours for Arabian Tea House:
- Daily 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Learn extra at Arabian Tea House
SMCCU
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is an organisation that goals to advertise cultural understanding and tolerance within the UAE. Situated in amongst among the metropolis’s oldest restored buildings, it’s a vital cease in Dubai for tradition lovers.
It was based in 1998 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, with the aim of fostering higher understanding and concord between the assorted cultures and communities that make up the UAE.
The SMCCU provides a spread of programmes and actions which can be designed to teach guests and residents about Emirati tradition and assist them study extra in regards to the native lifestyle. These programmes embody guided excursions of native neighbourhoods, conventional Emirati meals, and lectures and workshops on varied cultural subjects.
The SMCCU additionally hosts a number of occasions all year long, together with cultural festivals, movie screenings, artwork displays and Ramadan Iftars.
Opening hours for SMCCU:
- Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to three:00 PM; Friday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Due to tour recognition and restricted availability, prior reserving is now important.
- There’s quite a lot of free and paid occasions on supply.
Please go to www.cultures.ae to study extra about SMCCU and to ebook.
Textile Souk, Bur Dubai Old Souk
Not removed from Al Faidi Histroical Neighbourhood on the Bur Dubai facet of the creek, you’ll discover one of many hottest souks in Dubai. Wander by the busy lanes as you store for vibrant materials and clothes.
Come ready to apply your bartering abilities, and do be aware that some retailers should want money over bank card.
Opening hours for the souks:
- The souk is mostly open between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM Saturday to Thursday, although many shopkeepers will shut in the course of the center of the day.
- Friday is often solely open after 4:00 PM.
Next, head in the direction of Jumeirah 1, the place it is possible for you to to discover extra of the current historical past of Dubai.
Etihad Museum
The Etihad Museum is devoted to the trendy historical past of Dubai and the formation of the United Arab Emirates as a nation. Located on the historic website the place the UAE structure was signed in 1971, Union House, the museum is housed in a hanging constructing formed like a manuscript designed to symbolize the nation’s dedication to preserving its historical past and cultural heritage.
Inside the museum, guests can discover numerous interactive displays and shows that showcase the wealthy historical past and tradition of the UAE. The displays are divided into a number of galleries, every specializing in a special facet of the nation’s historical past. For instance, one gallery is devoted to the signing of the historic settlement that led to the formation of the UAE and shows the unique copies of the paperwork that had been signed.
The Etihad Museum additionally has a analysis centre and a library which can be open to the general public. These assets are a terrific place for researchers and college students to study extra in regards to the UAE’s historical past and tradition and may be accessed by appointment.
Overall, the Etihad Museum is a incredible useful resource for anybody all for studying extra in regards to the current historical past of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
Opening hours for Etihad Museum:
- 10:00 AM to eight:00 PM every single day. Last entry to the museum is at 7:00 PM.
Ticket costs fro Etihad Museum:
- Adults 25 AED
- Students (5-25 years) 10 AED
To study extra or to ebook go to Etihad Museum
Jumeirah Mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque is a landmark constructing with its two minarets standing tall above the primary prayer corridor. It was inbuilt 1979 as a present by the previous ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The inside of the mosque is simply as stunning as the outside, with a central dome and arched partitions embellished with intricate patterns and calligraphy. The mosque can accommodate as much as 1,500 worshippers at a time, and it’s a in style place for Friday prayers.
One of the distinctive options of the Jumeirah Mosque is that it is without doubt one of the few mosques within the United Arab Emirates that’s open to non-Muslim guests. Guided excursions of the mosque can be found for vacationers, and these excursions present a possibility for guests to study extra in regards to the mosque, the Muslim religion, and Islamic tradition. The excursions are led by skilled guides who can reply questions and supply insights into the historical past and significance of the mosque.
Overall, the Jumeirah Mosque is a vital cultural and spiritual landmark in Dubai, and it’s a stunning and interesting place to go to for folks of all backgrounds.
Opening instances and entry to Jumeirah Mosque
- Visitors are welcomed on the mosque twice a day at 10:00 am and a pair of:00 pm every single day, aside from Fridays.
- Bookings aren’t required, and registrations begin half-hour earlier than printed visiting instances.
- Entry is 35AED per individual.
Please be aware modest costume is required for all, and girls are requested to convey a scarf or scarf to cowl their hair.
Learn extra at Jumeirah Mosque
More for History and Culture Lovers within the UAE
For those that’d like to dive extra into the nation’s current historical past and pre-history, we’d additionally advocate:
- A day journey to Al Ain. Home to the nation’s solely UNESCO World Heritage Listed properties, there are a number of alternatives to take an interesting journey down reminiscence lane, from visiting the nation’s founding father’s residence (Al Ain Palace Museum) to visiting burial tombs believed so far again 5,000 years.
- Day journey to neighbouring Emirate Sharjah, often known as the nation’s cultural capital, is a should. In city, there’s a big focus of museums in Sharjah worthy of a go to, significantly the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and Sharjah Maritime Museum.
- An extra day journey to the capital Abu Dhabi can be a should. Although principally recognised for sensational trendy buildings such because the Louvre, the Grand Mosque and Qasr al Watan, make a while in your Abu Dhabi itinerary to see Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest construction within the metropolis has just lately been totally restored and re-opened to the general public.
- The nation’s east coast shouldn’t be forgotten, with Al Bidya Mosque being the nation’s oldest mosque within the Emirate of Fujairah. You’ll discover all kinds of fascinating historic stays as you cross the Hajar Mountains and discover the northern Emirates.
Before you go… More essential issues you need to know when planning a visit to Dubai
Take me again to the most effective points of interest in Dubai
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