The Qasr al-Hosn (العربية: قصر الحصن‎; literally "Fortified Palace") is a historical landmark and the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It was designed by Mohammed Al Bastaki[1] and built in 1761.[2]

قصر الحصن
Qasr al Hosn in 2019.jpg
Qasr al Hosn in May 2019
الموقعSheikh Zayed the First Street
الإحداثيات24°28′57″N 54°21′17″E / 24.48239°N 54.35482°E / 24.48239; 54.35482
بـُنِيَ1761
قصر الحصن is located in الإمارات العربية المتحدة
قصر الحصن
موقع قصر الحصن في الإمارات العربية المتحدة


Interior of the palace

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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 has been developed 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 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]

المصادر

  1. ^ "قصر الحصن حارس تاريخ أبوظبي". صحيفة الخليج. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  2. ^ أ ب ت ث "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. ^ أ ب "National". National. 12 February 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  5. ^ أ ب ت "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. ^ أ ب "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. ^ أ ب "Take a trip down memory lane at Qasr Al Hosn". Gulf News. 11 February 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.

وصلات خارجية

Coordinates: 24°28′57″N 54°21′17″E / 24.48239°N 54.35482°E / 24.48239; 54.35482