Al Fahidi Fort
Being the oldest building in Dubai, Al Fahidi Fort (also called Dubai Fort) without a doubt is considered one amongst the key attractions for travellers, who have an interest in exploring the History of Dubai history. As described in Gulf News website, Al Fahidi Fort which could be a home of the renowned Dubai Museum is “an oasis of calm within the busy Bur Dubai area” and thousands of sightseers make a “beeline” for Al Fahidi Fort. Owing to its importance because the oldest existing building in Dubai, Al Fahidi Fort is featured on the AED 100 note.
Location:
Al Fahidi is situated at the south of Dubai Creek in Bur Dubai neighbourhood which teems with vigorous trade and is near the Ruler's Court (the monarch's divan). The fort is near the Grand Mosque and Dubai Souq. So, it's surrounded with electronics shops additionally as dozens of textile and handicraft shops, hotels and restaurants that are scattered sporadically around the district.
How to reach it:
The most affordable thanks to reaching Al Fahidi Fort is via conveyance. Let’s explore them together as follows:
- Just catch the metro or bus to Al Ghubaiba or Al Fahidi stations, and so walk 10 minutes to the museum.
- If you're driving a car, remember that there's a limited parking zone near the museum so your best bet would be to require a cab.
Opening Hours:
From Saturday to Thursday it is open from 8:30 am until 8:30 pm. The Dubai Museum Friday timings are from 02:30 pm to 08:30 pm. During Ramadan, it opens from Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Required Time to tour to the Fort:
It takes about 2 hours to go to both Fort and Museum. Photography is clearly allowed. The place is fashionable visitors (over 1,000,000 a year) and tour buses, so try and arrive early.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fee is AED 3 per person (for adults) and AED 1 for kids (below 6 years). you'll purchase the tickets together with the tickets of Dubai Museum. Dubai Museum entry fee is inclusive of a visit to the Fort similarly.
History of the Fort:
The oldest a part of Al Fahidi Fort that was originally built of coral stone and mortar to defend the town against invasions from the ocean is that the slender round watchtower, which dates back to around 1787. This makes it the oldest existing building in Dubai. In 1799 this tower was incorporated into a fort.
Between the 1830s and also the 1850s major expansion works had been distributed at the fort under the rule of Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti bin Sohal.
Although the fort was built to protect the landward approaches to the town from the raids of rivalling tribes, it had been used as a seat of the ruler, a weapon and artillery arsenal and a prison. In 1970 the fort was restored into a home for Dubai Museum that offered several dioramas of the region's culture before the invention of oil, in addition as artefacts that go back to 3000 BC. By 1994, the fort was completely restored in accordance with Emirate’s policy in preserving historical sites within the country. In 1995, another underground wing was added to the old fort containing some interesting dioramas
Construction
Al Fahidi is square-shaped fortress (41 m. long and 33 m. wide) plan with 2 projecting round towers on opposite corners and an oblong one at a third corner, additionally to a series of long rooms that overlook the courtyard. The walls of Al Fahidi Fort were built of coral and shell rubble from the ocean cemented along with lime, while the most entrance of the door to the fort is formed of solid teak, studded with large iron nails, and brass plates are fixed on the door.
A tour in the Fort:
Once you step into the courtyard of the fort, you'll see a set of small boats carved out from tree trunks like those utilized by the locals within the past, and weapons like cannons. The courtyard also houses a reproduction of an old well and a conventional market (Souq) where narrow alleys are filled up with shops of spice traders, barbers, tailors and ironsmiths. It also displays an example of a summer home constructed of palm fronts, with typical wind tower to assist the evening breezes to cool the house. While it absolutely was a rich home for that point, it's very simple.
Housing the Museum of Dubai, the exhibits within Al Fahidi fort are varied and include weapons from the 17th and 18th centuries, likewise as historic models and exhibits of the town. However, the exhibits and dioramas which show scenes of lifestyle before the Oil era stand because of the most interesting ones at the fort. you'll be able to enjoy a recreated archaeological site with (genuine) artefacts from Africa and Asia, likewise as local finds that go back to the third millennium BC.
Finally, pay a visit to Al Fahidi fort and also the attached Dubai Museum remains a must-see visit for historic sightseers
