Qasr Al Hosn Exhibition
“History is a continuous chain of events. The present is only an extension of the past”The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Qasr Al Hosn is a national monument. It is located in the centre of Abu Dhabi, reminding us of the history of our city and our nation.
This exhibition explores the story of the palace, its context and the people who have lived and worked here for centuries. The story of Qasr Al Hosn is also the story of Abu Dhabi.
Foundation of Qasr Al Hosn
The foundation of Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Hosn are inextricably linked.
The people who built the first Tower of Qasr Al Hosn would have lived in the small collection of palm frond huts that constituted Abu Dhabi at the time.
The early settlement and Tower reveal much about these people, where they had come from and how they adapted to this new environment. In this section we look at both the Tower and settlement and what they tell us about the lives of the people who lived in Abu Dhabi centuries ago.
Fortress: Uniting a People
Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Dhiyab (1793-1816) transformed the simple Watchtower into a strong Fortress. While providing protection for the growing settlement on the island it was also an expression of the Ruler’s expanding control over the territory of Abu Dhabi.
The Sheikh moved the seat of power of the Bani Yas from Liwa Oasis to Abu Dhabi Island. Over time this settlement grew as more people from the desert arrived as well as from abroad and from other tribes. The population explosion and shift in the economy slowly altered the codes of law that governed a nomadic desert community to suit a more settled trading economy.
The personal capabilities of the Sheikh were fundamental in leading this change, ensuring unity and creating stability. Over time as their role and power developed, the Sheikhs moved from leading a tribe, to ruling a territory and eventually governing a modern state.
National Council Chamber
Sheikh Zayed built the National Council Chamber between 1968 and 1970. The building would later host The National Consultative Council ‘Al Majlis Al Watani Al Istishari’ and The Federal National Council ‘Al Majlis Al Watani Al Ittihadi’.
At a local and at a national level, this chamber witnessed the development of a new modern governmental system, which has its roots in the traditional concepts of ‘Majlis’ and ‘Shura’ (consultation). Locating the National Council Chamber outside the walls of Qasr Al Hosn ensured the Fort remained at the forefront of governance in Abu Dhabi and the unified country of the United Arab Emirates.
Palace Lives
During the reign of Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan (1928–1966), the Fort was expanded dramatically using the funds gained from the first oil concessions. The Fort was expanded to include a larger residential quarter and became an important social space for the Sheikh’s family. With the rapid expansion of the state came the need for a larger administrative service and a range of new roles. In this part of the exhibition, you have the chance to meet some of the people who would have lived and worked in the Fort during this intriguing period in Abu Dhabi’s history.
“Our fathers bequeathed an excellent heritage to us. We are able to proceed by its guidance.” The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Preserving a Monument
Following the Royal Family’s move to Al Manhal Palace in 1966, Qasr Al Hosn was repurposed to house Government offices, including the National Centre for Documentation and Research, today known as the National Archives. This provided a repository for historical records and a venue for public education.
Since the relocation of the National Archives to the new venue, the building has been undergoing extensive conservation efforts to preserve it as an historical monument. This building has been witness to some of the most important moments in our nation’s history.
While Abu Dhabi continues to advance, unique elements of its heritage are being preserved for future generations.
“He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn.” The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Building a Future
While Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest building on the island of Abu Dhabi, it is set to become the heart of a new cultural hub for the city. Following a master planning process this historical monument will be the focus of a new public space, linked to the Cultural Foundation Building on the opposite side of the square. Downtown Abu Dhabi will, once again, become a focal point of our city.
Emirati university students are being invited to engage with their heritage by proposing a design for a new mosque to be built on the Qasr Al Hosn site. The Mosque will need to reflect the history and traditional architecture of Qasr Al Hosn, respect the modern heritage of the Cultural Foundation Building, and consider the present guidelines for mosque design in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The design competition is now underway.