Best 5 destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE
If you are a fan of Arab history and heritage, there are plenty of destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE. In general, the UAE hosts many distinctive heritage tourist destinations, which give you an amazing opportunity to learn about the country’s heritage yourself. These destinations have historical and cultural significance, and in this article we will show you some of the most important destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE.
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Destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE
If you are interested in knowing the heritage and history of the Arabs, visiting some destinations in the United Arab Emirates may help you in that.
Where the UAE hosts many distinctive heritage tourist destinations, which reflect a large part of the country’s heritage and cultural history.
Below we will review together some of the best Destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE, which you should not miss if you are interested in Arab heritage:
Qasr al-Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn is at the top of our list of the best destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE.
It is one of the most famous heritage places in Abu Dhabi, which represents the first building built in the emirate, as it dates back to the eighteenth century.
The Bani Yas tribes built the palace to be used as a watchtower to protect the surrounding areas and monitor and manage the trade routes along the coast.
Qasr Al-Hosn, which was built using stone and coral, is characterized by a contemporary architectural design, and was designed to make it suitable for the surrounding environment as much as possible.
Qasr Al Hosn has been renovated by a team of specialized maintenance experts, as several public events are held throughout the year, including National Day celebrations and others.
- Location: Al Nasr Street, between Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Road and Sheikh Zayed Road, Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates.
- Working hours: from Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and on Fridays from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm.
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Heritage Village
The Heritage Village gives a glimpse into the many years before the UAE’s economic boom and its one of the best Destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE.
This restored village is a glimpse into what life was like before oil was discovered in the country.
The village is a mixture of the past and the present and includes many archaeological sites, such as the protection fort, a mosque and a market for bartering livestock.
It is worth noting that the heritage village follows the ancient irrigation system of the falaj, which helps to irrigate crops in the desert, and is a suitable place for bullfighting events.
Visitors can try some of the ancient handicrafts, such as weaving, leather tanning, pot-making, glass-blowing and even blacksmithing.
The museum in the fort hosts a jewelry exhibition, so it is one of the most beautiful destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE.
- Location: Abu Dhabi Corniche near Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates.
- Working hours: from Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Fridays from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Tombs of Jebel Hafeet
One of the best destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE is the tombs of Jebel Hafeet, which gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the importance of maritime trade in the Gulf 5,000 years ago.
The domed tombs are located at the base of the mountain, where they were excavated by Danish archaeologists who discovered artifacts made of copper and ceramics dating back to the beginning of the country’s Bronze Age.
They also found many pieces dating back to the Iron Age, and these tombs resemble beehives, and unlike some other tombs in the Emirates, these tombs are made of rough stones.
Each tomb consists of only one room, and it is believed that some families were buried collectively in it, as this was common at the time.
- Location: Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates.
- Working hours: 24 hours a day.
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Al-Jahili Fort
Located in Al Ain in a lush green area with beautiful landscapes, the historic Al Jahili Fort is one among the best destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE.
The fort was the seat of the Omani Scouts (protectors of the mountains) and those responsible for keeping the peace between the tribes.
Today the castle consists of an information center to educate visitors and temporary exhibition spaces, as well as a collection of photographs of the well-known explorer Wilfred Thesiger.
- Location: Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Street, Al Ain – United Arab Emirates.
- Working hours: daily from 9 am to 7 pm.
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Qattara market
One of the oldest markets in the United Arab Emirates, it is one of the best Destinations to discover the heritage of the UAE.
The market is organized by a group of traditional handicrafts men. It is also linked to Al Qattara Fort and includes an arts center, library, café and exhibition space.
By moving between the streets and alleys of this market, you can explore the distinctive heritage and history of the UAE, especially since the market, despite its recent restoration, preserves many heritage monuments.
- Location: Hamouda Bin Ali Street, Al Ain – United Arab Emirates.
- Working hours: daily from 10 am to 10 pm.