Qasr Al Hosn

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Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr al Hosn in 2019.jpg
Qasr Al Hosn in May 2019
Location Sheikh Zayed the First Street
Coordinates 24°28′57″N54°21′17″E / 24.48239°N 54.35482°E / 24.48239; 54.35482
Built1931 outer Fort with 30 m high main watchtower around the 1761 inner fort
United Arab Emirates location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Qasr Al Hosn in United Arab Emirates

The Qasr Al Hosn (Arabic : قصر الحصن, Qaṣr al-Ḥuṣn, "Fortified Palace") is a historical landmark and the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Its construction was supervised by Mohammed Al Bastaki [1] in 1761. [2]

Contents

Interior of the palace First Tower, Qasr al-Hosn, Abu Dhabi.jpg
Interior of the palace

Location

It is located along Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum St [3] and is a part of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. [4]

History

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 had been refurbished several times and is now partially open to the public. [7] [8]

Current use

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

Qasr al-Hosn - 2024 Qasr al-Hosn (3).jpg
Qasr al-Hosn - 2024

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]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "قصر الحصن حارس تاريخ أبوظبي". صحيفة الخليج (in Arabic). Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "UAE museum: Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi". Gulf News. 2 November 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  3. ↑ "QASR AL HOSN - Abu Dhabi Culture". Cultural Foundation. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "National". National. 12 February 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "My destination". My destination. 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Dubaifaqs". Dubaifaqs. 22 April 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  7. ↑ "UAE Interact". UAE Interact. 29 July 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Khaleej Times". Khaleej Times. 12 February 2015. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Muntada Qasr Al Hosn serves as key platform". Gulf News. 2 March 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Festival home". Qasr al Hosn Festival. 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Take a trip down memory lane at Qasr Al Hosn". Gulf News. 11 February 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.

24°28′57″N54°21′17″E / 24.48239°N 54.35482°E / 24.48239; 54.35482

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