Zayed National Museum Opens in Abu Dhabi
The Zayed National Museum threw open its doors on December 3 in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District. This spot joins neighbors like the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Foster + Partners designed it, as ArchDaily reports. The building covers 88,870 square meters and traces UAE history from the first human traces 300,000 years ago through to today. It centers on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father.
Emotional Impact on First Visitors
Crowds showed up fast. Emirati Sharifa Al Hashmi told The National that hearing Sheikh Zayed’s voice at the entrance brought her to tears. “You really feel him close,” she said. New resident Alice Morrison called it a quick way to grasp local culture. Nine-year-old Mansour Al Taheri just loved how big it is.
Galleries and Key Exhibits
More than 1,500 objects fill the space at launch, from a collection of 3,000 total, per Gulf Business. Standouts include Sheikh Zayed’s personal Quran, folios from the Blue Quran, an 1880s necklace owned by Umm Kulthum, the Abu Dhabi Pearl, and his 1966 black Chrysler Newport.
Six permanent galleries guide the story:
- Our Beginning: Sheikh Zayed’s life and leadership.
- Through Our Nature: UAE landscapes.
- To Our Ancestors: 300,000 years of human history here.
- Through Our Connections: Trade, tech, shared identity.
- By Our Coasts: Maritime heritage, with an 18-meter Bronze Age Magan boat reconstruction.
- To Our Roots: Traditional ways of life.
Outside, the 600-meter Al Masar Garden features sculptures, native plants, a falaj irrigation setup, and a Sheikh Zayed timeline.
Why It Matters
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, head of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, said it ties the seven emirates together through shared past. “It provides a space where citizens, residents and visitors can see themselves reflected,” he told Emirates24|7 and Gulf Business. The museum trains new Emirati experts in curation and history, feeding into global talks on culture, and deepens a sense of Emirati pride as The National’s editorial states.
Visit Details
Open 10am to 6pm with timed slots. Adult tickets cost Dh70 ($19), students and teachers Dh35, free for under-18s, people of determination, and UAE residents 60+. Buy at zayednationalmuseum.ae. Until December 31, catch dances like Razfa and Naashat, poetry, gahwa sessions, crafts workshops, and tours—book ahead. Eat at Erth restaurant, Al Ghaf Cafe, or garden spots. The shop sells themed souvenirs.