WALKING TOUR - POINTS OF INTEREST
AL FAHIDI HISTORICAL NEIGHBOURHOOD
Built in 1859, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood has the largest concentration
of traditional courtyard houses in Dubai and looking across the endless signature wind
World Trade C
towers really gives you a feeling of what life was like all those years ago.
Al Jafiliya
AL KARAMA
A
SHEIKH MOHAMMED CENTRE FOR CULTURAL
UNDERSTANDING (SMCCU)
Karama
B
Operating under the banner of 'Open Doors. Open Minds.'
the SMCCU is a non-profit organisation established to increase
awareness and understanding of the local culture, customs and
religion of the United Arab Emirates. The SMCCU strives to
remove barriers between people of different nationalities and
raise awareness between the various cultures that live in Dubai.
Open 9am to 5pm. Call 04-3536666 or visit www.cultures.ae.
AL FAHIDI FORT AND
DUBAI MUSEUM
AL JAFLIYA
Dating back to 1787, making it the
oldest building in Dubai, Al Fahidi
Fort once guarded the landward
approaches to the town, and has
been a seat of government, the ruler’s
main residence, a military barracks
and a prison. The Fort provides a fascinating insight into days of old,
with many interesting archaeological finds displayed in cavernous
underground rooms, including spears, armour, khanjar knives and
cannons, many of which are inscribed with the maker’s name.
Inside the Fort you will find Dubai museum, which was opened by
the ruler in 1971 with the aim of presenting Dubai’s traditional way
of life. Galleries recreate scenes from traditional Arab houses, souks
and marine life, with colourful, life-size dioramas vividly depicting the
days before the discovery of oil. Here you will find local antiquities
and artifacts from countries that traded with Dubai, and recent
discoveries as old as 3000 B.C. Open 8.30am to 8.30pm. Admission is
Dhs 1. Call 04-3531862.
D
C
DIWAN
MOSQUE
Constructed around
1985 during the
renovation of the Ruler's
Court, the Diwan
Mosque can hold 500
worshippers and has a
private entrance from
the Ruler's Court and
a public entrance in
the village. It is simply
decorated with Islamic
calligraphy and Fatimid
period colors and can
be viewed by the public
as part of the SMCCU
Heritage Tour.
Call 04-3536666.
BAIT AL WAKEEL MARITIME MUSEUM
Situated near the abra (water taxi) station at Dubai Creek,
Bait Al Wakeel was built in 1934 by the
late Sheikh Rashid as Dubai's first office
building. The building has been completely
restored and houses a museum and restaurant
depicting Dubai’s once-traditional fishing
and maritime traditions. Call 04-3530530.
www.discover-dubai.ae
Discover Dubai JULY | 25