Dubai Museum, United Arab Emirates
As already mentioned in an earlier post this week, during a visit to Bur Dubai, we didn't have time to visit the Dubai Museum, but yesterday I went back and did visit the museum.
The museum was opened by the ruler of Dubai in 1971, with the aim of presenting the traditional way of life in the Emirate of Dubai. It includes local antiquities as well as artifacts from African and Asian countries that traded with Dubai. It also includes several dioramas showing life in the emirate before the advent of oil. In addition to artifacts from recent discoveries as old as 3000 B.C.
An old style water tank, needed to survive in this desert climate.
Al Fahidi Fort, where the museum is located, was built in several phases. The oldest tower was built around 1787 and believed to be the oldest building in Dubai that still exists today. The fort was used to guard the landward approaches to the town from the raids of neighbouring tribes. It has also served, at various times throughout history as the ruler's palace, a garrison, and a prison.
The dioramas are the nice touch to this museum, just as shown above, a diorama about traditional clothing. You would expect a very hyper technical and digital museum, just like the rest of the city but instead this museum is very 'old fashioned' with it's dioramas which make for a great break and change of pace.
Outside of the museum is a dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel, with a mosque's minaret in the background.
After the museum visit we went to the Mall of the Emirates by local subway, this is one of the bigger malls in Dubai and very impressive. It hosts Ski Dubai, an indoor ski resort! Just so it's set apart from other malls in Dubai.
Camille
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