Dubai museum is one of the premiere places to start learning about the history and cultural background of this fast paced city. Located at the center of Dubai; the museum gives a historical view of Dubai before the era of oil discovery made the city a sought after destination for business. It is not very glitzy and glamour though, which is why it can best be described as a learning museum which offers a close encounter that makes one learn the history and development of this energetic city.
Historical background of Dubai Museum
Al Fahidi Fortress
Dubai Museum is located in the Al Fahidi Fort which is an architectural wonder with cultural importance. The stone fort built in 1787 was used to fend off attack from invading tribes. It is currently one historical structure found in Dubai having been constructed many years before the modern development of the city. Indeed, for more than 200 years, the fort has been subjected to the ebb and flow of history: it has been the governmental center, a ruler’s residence, an arsenal, and even a jail.
The built material dominant in the construction of this fort is the coral rock and mortar and it bear the conventional features of the Emirati architectural designs. The walls and the towers of the fort are visible which gives information on how such structures were important in the formative years of the city as a protection against exterior forces. Built to create a courtyard and numerous rooms that are adjacent to it have been restored and adapted for museum and thus allows the guests to feel the history.
Transformation into a Museum
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum formalized the setting up of Dubai Museum at the Al Fahidi Fortress in the same year of 1971. His dream was to have a museum that would speak about the evolution of Dubai from a small fishing and trading city. The typical attraction at this relatively new museum is an array of artifacts, including some that give a vivid narration of the history of Dubai, custom made to accentuate the period before the discovery of oil.
The change of the fort into a museum was in line with the general efforts to promote the conserved Dubai culture that was at risk of being submerged by the surging modernization encroachment. The structure and organization of the exhibits and the concept of the museum as a whole were quite intentional so that the Museum visitor is able to canvass through periods of world history starting from the pre-Classical period to the modern day.
Visiting the Dubai Museum
The Entrance
As soon as one moves inside the premises of Dubai Museum, one is welcomed by a central square with several bureaucratic items. The front door alone is a historical exhibition proving that guests are in for more history and art inside. For example, wooden doors, an ancient wind tower visible on the building, and old cannons installed at the main entrance bother the futuristic background of Dubai and highlight the institution’s history.
The Courtyard
The yard of the museum contains various items originating from diverse countries imported to Dubai through trade. Among these items, there are artefacts that are as old as 3,000 years and which were buried with the owners of the tombs of Al-Ghusais. A popular part of the courtyard is also the models of typical Dubai houses built of palm-tree branches, which show how the architecture of the houses helped regulate temperatures and cool down the structures in hot climate of the desert. Besides, the representations of the mosque, souk, date farms and the sea, the desert illustrates different spheres of typical Dubai life.
There is a fine collection of several eyeballing wooden boats or the famous local fishing and pearl diving boats known as dhows. This is a concise summary of the necessity of the discussed boats, referring to the legacy of Dubai and the importance of sea in the city’s economy. They also include the authentic water well and other implements regarding agriculture and general activities before oil discoveries giving a glimpse of pre-oil Dubai in the courtyard.
Inside the Museum
Within the facility, it is sectioned into a number of galleries that depict the growth of Dubai. These galleries contain photographs, artefacts as well as novel displays that effectively depict San Diego’s growth scenario. Key exhibits include:
Fishing and Pearling History: Exhibits of the past fishing village and pearl diving diversification of today’s Dubai. Fishing nets, pearl-diving equipment, boats and the like give an insight to the life of the first settlers of the region. Another feature of the exhibits is giving information on how each of the fishing and pearl diving processes is done with especial stress on the proficiency needed when undertaking such tasks.
Pre-Oil Era: Cultural emulations of how people in Dubai used to live their lives before the onset of oil resources where displays of arts and crafts, tools and such other items are usually taken. The various galleries that range from the traditional houses, markets, and workshops give a feel of old Dubai. The tourists can also get to know the crafts and occupations which used to guarantee the existence of this region, for example, blacksmithing, weaving, pottery, etc.
Urbanization and Modernization: Other stations that show the city’s development and the effect of oil on Dubai’s economy and development. The items featured on display are models and photographs that depict the growth of the city from several establishments to a large complex one. Other features are touch screens through which the visitor can trace the history of Dubai and important moments in the life of the city as well as choosing significant completed projects of the company.
Cultural Exhibits: Indeed, the museum has sections dedicated to the Emirati social customs such as the ones related to clothing, accessories, utensils as well as jewelry. These spectacles give the spectators the idea of how the inhabitants of such regions live, how they preserve their culture and traditions in the conflict with the tendencies of civilization.
Special Exhibits
The other areas within the museum include galleries that are unique having in mind specific aspects of Dubai history and culture. These include:
Traditional Music and Dance: Several touch-screen installations that acquaint people with the staples of classical Emirati music and dance. Among such exhibits it is possible to name musical instruments, records, and video of the traditional performances. They can also discover how and where Emirati people use music and dance in ceremonials and rejoicing events.
Archaeological Finds: Tourist attractions such as museums, oracle and arts that displays items that have been excavated from different archaeological diggings in Dubai that gives a clear information about the pre-occupations of the early dwellers of the area. Some of these artifacts include pots, ornaments and tools, which make the visitors to have a look on the life and culture of the people that inhabited the region in past. The exhibits also inform patrons of activities carried out in an attempt to exhume and research on such relics.
Traditional Medicine: Exhibits that are going to describe and showcase the pharmacopoeia that reliefs the local people. The available displays focus on such aspects as medical plants, tools, and how various techniques were employed in traditional medicine. And what diseases can be cured with the help of plants, and what the maasai people still consider traditional healers decisive.
Educational Programs
The teaching and learning services at the Dubai Museum targets audiences of all ages with programs and workshops. They represent social programmes that are aimed at providing comprehensive knowledge about the cultural background of Dubai and its historical role. Thus, schools and other educational institutions visit the museum with their students to learn in the field. Said organization encompasses the conventional programmes of historical and cultural tourism such as guided tours, informative and creative activities, as well as the historical and cultural-educational literature with the aim to introduce the history of Dubai.
It also presents temporary exhibitions and public talks which concentrate on different aspects of historical and cultural development of Dubai. Such occasions enable scholars and specialists to open up their knowledge and experience thus raising awareness on the historical background of the city.
Practical Information
Location
Dubai Museum is situated in the Al Fahidi Historical neighborhood in Bur Dubai, Alam Khayam Street across to the Grand Mosque. It is located on the southern side of the Dubai creek and opens up to other other historic landmarks such as the Gold souk and the Spice souk located on the other side of the creek.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is one of the oldest districts in Dubai that welcomes guests with its narrow streets, houses belonging to ancient architecture, and wind-towers. Visiting this area presents a somewhat different setting to the other part of the city and comes with an opportunity to learn some pre-modern Dubai.
Opening Hours
The museum is open daily from 8:from 30 a. m. to 8:30 p. m. which I think would provide adequate time for a visitor to go through most, if not, all the halls in the museum. It is recommended to call or visit the museum’s official website to get aware of the possible changes in the schedule during the fasting month of Ramadan.
Getting There
By Metro: The nearest metro station is Al Fahidi Metro Station of green line approx. 1 km away. If you joining subway red line from city center, you have to make a transfer at Burjuman Station. The transportation by the metro is accessible and economical and there are several trains that pass through the station within a day to the museum.
By Taxi or Private Transport: It is also possible to get a taxi or a ride from the ride sharing companies as they are abundant in Dubai to get to the entrance of the museum. Public transport can save time and often people preffer it although sometimes they need to go the more straight way they can use private transport.
By Bus: There are also several bus routes that pass through the Al Fahidi area and hence one can get there by bus from anywhere in the city. There is an efficient public bus service in Dubai for which one can use to comfortably and cheaply get to the museum.
Admission Fees
Overally, the Dubai Museum collects an entrance fee, which is quite affordable ensuring a broader public reach. The ticket prices are as follows:The ticket prices are as follows:
Adults: 3 AED
Children (under 6): The PuhallUSO1 is a three-column thousand series with a body made of anodized aluminum alloy, top plate of solid aluminum alloy, and base of cast aluminum alloy.
The affordable charges for admission makes it possible for the museum to attract both residents of Dubai as well as tourists; thus highlighting the county’s traditions and history.
Conclusion
Dubai Museum is not just the showcase of the exhibits; it is the guide through the Dubai cultural and historical timeline. For those who are interested in history or planning a trip to the Middle East, for those who wants to know more about the beginning of this contemporary megacity, there is nothing better than visiting the Dubai Museum. This means that through history, which has been exhibited by the museum, one gets the present surrounding and even glimpse of the future of the ever evolving city. Organise your trip to the Dubai Museum and start this most interesting journey through time.
Visiting the Dubai Museum also brings knowledge about the statics of the city, as well as deepens the understanding of the present and the perspective for the future. Highly developed thematic expositions, qualified actions, and attractive programs allow the museum to become one of the significant sights for those who study the cultural history of Dubai.