Qasr al-Hosn | |
---|---|
Location | Sheikh Zayed the First Street |
Coordinates | 24°28′57″N 54°21′17″E / 24.48239°N 54.35482°E |
Built | 1761 |
The Qasr al-Hosn ( Arabic: قصر الحصن, Qaṣr Al-Huṣn, "Fortified Palace") is a historical landmark and the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It was designed by Mohammed Al Bastaki [1] and built in 1761. [2]
It is located along Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum St [3] and is a part of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. [4]
Qasr al-Hosn, also known as the White Fort (originally not white in colour but painted bright white during 1976–1983 renovations) or Old Fort, [5] was constructed in 1761 as a conical watchtower to defend the only freshwater well in Abu Dhabi island. [2] The tower was later expanded into a small fort in 1793 by the then ruler, Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan, and became the permanent residence of the ruling Sheikh. [2] The tower took its present shape after a major extension in the late 1930s, aided by revenues received for granting the first oil license in Abu Dhabi. [6] It remained the emir's palace (hence the name Qasr al-Hosn, meaning Palace fort) and seat of government until 1966. [2] The fort has been developed several times and is now partially open to the public. [7] [8]
The Qasr al-Hosn is currently the subject of extensive historical, archaeological, and architectural research. [4] [9] The fort houses a museum displaying artifacts and pictures representing the history of the country. [5] It also has a range of weapons, used through the region's history, on display. [5]
Qasr al-Hosn festival is an annual 11-day cultural event staged on the grounds of the fort. [10] [11] The fort is open to the public during the festival, including some of the restricted areas [11] and features live music and dance performances showing the UAE's cultural heritage. [8]
Qasr al-Hosn | |
---|---|
Location | Sheikh Zayed the First Street |
Coordinates | 24°28′57″N 54°21′17″E / 24.48239°N 54.35482°E |
Built | 1761 |
The Qasr al-Hosn ( Arabic: قصر الحصن, Qaṣr Al-Huṣn, "Fortified Palace") is a historical landmark and the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It was designed by Mohammed Al Bastaki [1] and built in 1761. [2]
It is located along Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum St [3] and is a part of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. [4]
Qasr al-Hosn, also known as the White Fort (originally not white in colour but painted bright white during 1976–1983 renovations) or Old Fort, [5] was constructed in 1761 as a conical watchtower to defend the only freshwater well in Abu Dhabi island. [2] The tower was later expanded into a small fort in 1793 by the then ruler, Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan, and became the permanent residence of the ruling Sheikh. [2] The tower took its present shape after a major extension in the late 1930s, aided by revenues received for granting the first oil license in Abu Dhabi. [6] It remained the emir's palace (hence the name Qasr al-Hosn, meaning Palace fort) and seat of government until 1966. [2] The fort has been developed several times and is now partially open to the public. [7] [8]
The Qasr al-Hosn is currently the subject of extensive historical, archaeological, and architectural research. [4] [9] The fort houses a museum displaying artifacts and pictures representing the history of the country. [5] It also has a range of weapons, used through the region's history, on display. [5]
Qasr al-Hosn festival is an annual 11-day cultural event staged on the grounds of the fort. [10] [11] The fort is open to the public during the festival, including some of the restricted areas [11] and features live music and dance performances showing the UAE's cultural heritage. [8]