Calling all museum lovers! There is a new kid on the block! More like kids actually…If you are looking for ideas for your next outing, think no more: head down to Dubai Creek and enjoy Al Shindagha Museum.
With this latest addition, the creek area, where Sheikh Mohammed himself was born, is now established as THE place to celebrate Emirati heritage. The traditional houses (including the house where Sheikh Mohammed was born and raised) have been restored while keeping their authenticity, and turned into a series of small museums.
The main purpose behind Al Shindagha museum is to pay tribute and spread the word on the UAE heritage, culture and the secrets behind the resilience and desire for progress which are so specific to the UAE.
The museum is made of a dozen of pavilions. One of the first two that opened is dedicated to Dubai Creek. You can watch an interactive video on the birth of the creek area and its people: the people of the “khor”. Learn about the Creek’s development, potential and its role in the wisdom of the country’s leaders and the hospitality culture.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Al Shindagha Museum (@alshindaghamuseum) on
The second one is the Perfume House. You will be able to visit several rooms dedicated to the art of perfumery in the UAE. Do you know where ingredients such as Oud come from? Do you know what Amber looks like? Do you know what cedarwood smells like? The visit starts with a walk amongst the natural ingredients used in perfumery, and just by pressing a button, you get to actually smell each one individually. The journey continues through a discovery of antique perfume instruments, testimonials from Emiratis on the social uses of perfumes, a room where you can listen to ancient poetry about perfumes, fragrance stories and my favorite part: the perfume lab, where you can attend workshops and discover super cool interactive tables showing the actual recipe for bakhoor.
All the museums belong to one of the below overarching themes:
1. Creativity and well being.
Where you will find a pavilion dedicated to the art of jewellery. Another one dedicated to traditional medicine. One more dedicated to “The Crafts of the UAE” and finally one about beauty and adornments in the country.
2. Living off the Sea and Land.
This theme gave birth to four pavilions respectively called: “Culture of the Sea”, “Life on Land”, “Navigation” and “Traditional Food”.
3. Governance and Society.
Four more pavilions fall into this category: “Al Maktoum family”, “Dubai Creek”, “Social Values” and “ Emerging City”
4. Children’s Pavillion
This one is made especially for kids. Designed to be a simpler version of the museums, kids can enjoy discovering all the themes of the museum in one safe and fun place.
The Shindagha museum will also host a series of workshops and temporary exhibitions. In order not to miss out on any, I highly encourage you to become a member and subscribe to the museum’s newsletter here.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Al Shindagha Museum (@alshindaghamuseum) on
Not to mention, Harrison Ford himself visited the place, see the video below!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Al Shindagha Museum (@alshindaghamuseum) on