Dubai is a city in the Middle East recognized for its skyscrapers, tourist attractions, and shopping. But if you want to explore and learn about the history, traditions, and culture of the Emiratis, then a visit to the Al Shindagha Museum in the Al Shindagha Historic District is a must. It is an open-air museum where visitors have the opportunity to explore the unique architectural heritage of Dubai, which tells the tale of human innovation and desire for progress, submerging them into Emirati culture and origins.
Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was born in this district. The Al Maktoum family home, which dates back to 1896, was restored and is now open to the public as part of the Al Shindagha Museum. Walking through the alleyways or sikkas, you can admire the simple buildings made of gypsum, stone, and teak. Palm leaves, reef stones, dried corals, and palm tree trunks are used for decorative purposes. The stunning hand-carved doors made from wood imported from India are a remarkable sight.
The Al Shindagha Museum comprises seventeen pavilions covering a total exhibition area of 7980 square meters, featuring over fifty collections of historical and cultural artefacts. The attractions are divided into three unique themes, such as Living off the Sea and Land, Governance and Society, and Creativity and Well Being. Today, carefully curated 21 houses within the district featuring interactive technology installations and projection mapping, tell the story of Dubai’s rise through its themed pavilions. Visitors can explore the new inclusions on the site.
Things to Do at the Al Shindagha Museum
1) The Perfume House
The Al Shindagha Museum Perfume House offers an opportunity to visitors to travel back in time and discover the age-old methods of Arabic perfume-making. You can also learn about the secrets of making traditional oils and ingredients that were used to make local scents (including saffron, oud, and roses).
2) Al Maktoum Residence
The House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum is the most prominent landmark in the Al Shindagha Historic District, housing artefacts that shed light on the past rulers of Dubai and their accomplishments.
3) Emerging City
Walking by the houses in the Emerging City will enlighten you on the historical, cultural, and economical facets that led to the development of Dubai City.
4) Traditional Craft House
In this part of the museum, you will get to see the works of the early craftsmen that inhabited the area. This includes simple items that stand out because of their aesthetics and skills.
5) Traditional Jewellery House
Jewellery is an integral part of Emirati culture, and this house showcases excellent craftsmanship with different types of traditional jewellery.
6) Traditional Beauty and Adornment House
This house introduces you to the natural ingredients and incredible techniques that go into making beauty products. You also come to know about the traditional clothing of the Emirati people.
7) People and Faith House
This house takes us on a journey to how the Islamic faith of the Emirati people has helped them to build a tolerant community with displays of different aspects of the religion like the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah.
8) Traditional Health Care House
This house offers a glimpse into how the ancient healers cured many diseases and illnesses using a concoction of natural herbs using ingredients like saffron, ginger, nutmeg, etc.
9) Culture of the Sea
Dubai has a rich maritime history, tracing back seven thousand years. In this house, you can explore the region’s aquatic ecosystem and marine life as a whole.
10) Children’s Pavilion
Children will love to visit this pavilion, where two illustrated characters, Hamad and Hessa, will educate them about Emirati heritage, culture, and traditions.
11) Life on the Land
The main attraction in this house is the immersive 4D theatre allowing you to experience the beauty of the region’s desert, oceans, and mountains through the eyes of a falcon.
12) Traditional Food
Food is an indispensable part of any culture. The Traditional Food house will take you on a gastronomical journey exploring the ingredients, cooking style, and preservation techniques of Emiratis.
13) Navigation
In early times, the Emiratis used to navigate the desert using a unique method involving the sky, sun, and sand. In the Navigation House, displays are divided into three themes, Aeronautical Navigation, Marine Navigation, and Land Navigation.
Al Shindagha Museum Location
The Al Shindagha Museum is located on the banks of the Dubai Creek on Bur Dubai, flanked by Port Rashid on one side and Al Fahidi Historical District on the other. With its proximity to Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, The Dubai Museum at Al Fahidi Fort is just five minutes away. It adds a rich cultural element to your Dubai visit.
Timings of The Al Shindagha Museum
The Al Shindagha Museum is open every Wednesday to Monday from 10 am to 8 pm. It is closed on Tuesdays. The last entry to the Museum is at 7 pm.
Al Shindagha Museum Tickets
The entry tickets to the Museum are as follows:
- Adults (24 years and above) – 50 AED
- Students (5 to 24 years) – 20 AED
- Groups (5 persons and above) – 40 AED
- Children (under five years) – Free
- Emirati Senior Citizens – Free
How to Reach Al Shindagha Museum
By Car: If you are travelling by car, you can park your vehicle in the public parking space along Khaleej Street. You can also park at the Shindagha City Center Parking, about 10 minutes from the Museum on foot.
By Taxi: Travelling to the Museum by taking a taxi is the most convenient way to reach it. You can also pre-book your taxi to save time.
By Metro: The closest Metro Station is the Al Ghubaiba Metro Station on the Green Line.
By Bus: The Ghubaiba Bus Station is only a two-minute walk from the Museum. The RTA website will guide you with the bus route details and the bus number.
By Ferry: If you opt to arrive at the Museum by Ferry, alight at the Al Ghubaiba Marine Transport Station, which is just a walkable distance from the entrance of the museum.
Conclusion
It is better to purchase your tickets to the museum in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles. Whether you are a history buff or not, a visit to the Al Shindagha Museum will surely provide a treasure trove of experiences, which can be enjoyed by all age groups.
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The three unique themes on which this museum is divided are interesting. It will be a fantastic experience to explore how Dubai’s rise through its themed pavilions. Thanks for the post on Al Shindagha Museum.