Al Hosn Fort (Qasr al-Hosn) (Abu Dhabi)

United Arab Emirates / Abu Dhabi / Abu Dhabi / Khalid Bin Al Waleed street
 museum, landmark, fort, heritage, interesting place, old city
qasralhosn.ae/

Former residence of the ruler of Abu Dhabi. The only building in the city older than 50 years.

Also known as the 'white fort' (erroneously so, it was never white until the 1976–1983 renovations when it acquired a bright white painted concrete render) or 'old fort', it started out as a round watchtower defending the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island in ca. 1761. This tower was later expanded to a small fort in ca. 1793, at which point it became the permanent residence of the ruling sheikh. A major extension to its current shape took place in the late 1930s, aided by revenues received for granting the first oil license in Abu Dhabi. It remained the royal palace (hence the name Qasr al-Hosn, meaning palace-fort) and seat of government until 1966. Plans have been drafted in 2007 to redevelop the site and open it up to the public.
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Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qasr_al-Hosn
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   24°28'56"N   54°21'17"E

Comments

  • The first photo should be deleted as it is mirrored. I added the correct version.
  • Howcome it was never white before 1976? Check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lq4UM0b4C0
  • Also, look at the third (panorama) photo with no structures besides the fort and only the Abu Dhabi flag flying.
This article was last modified 9 months ago