Description of the attraction
Al-Husn Palace, also known as the "White Fort", is one of the main attractions of Abu Dhabi, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year. It is this oldest building, the first mention of which dates back to 1703, that became the beginning of the formation of the city.
A small fort with white walls was erected by natives of the Libyan tribe Beni Yas on the site of a fresh spring. It was these walls that were supposed to protect the well dug inside from the enemy. Over time, a real large fortress with high walls was built around the well. In addition to protective functions, the fortress began to serve as the residence of the future rulers of Abu Dhabi. The city began to develop and many new buildings appeared around the old fortress.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, various spheres of activity, from sea trade to the production and sale of oil, were the source of income for the inhabitants of the Al-Husn fortress, which led to the emergence of a large city in this place.
The palace of Al-Husn was the residence of the sheikh until 1966. From 1976 to 1983, a complete reconstruction of the palace was carried out. Now this representative of the historical heritage is part of the museum complex and since 2007 has been completely open to visitors. Previously, only a walk under the fortress walls and a visit to the observation tower were allowed.
On the territory of the palace, a Documentation and Research Center was opened, which contains a large archive for the study of ancient documents and objects. The exhibits placed in the museum complex recreate a real picture of the life of the population of this region. The book fund of the famous Al-Husn Library contains more than two million books.
Al Husn Palace can not only surprise visitors with its amazing architecture, but also introduce many interesting facts from the historical past of Abu Dhabi.
