Al Ain Museum

I like the city of Al Ain , where I’m living now. It is a small city, with a lot of green areas, no high buildings, very diferent from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Al Ain has its own identity, not an artificial one.

There are many old fortresses and this one, the Sultan bin Zayed fort was transformed into a museum dedicated to Al Ain. Inside you can find archeological objects found in the area (the oasis of Al Ain was an important point for the caravan trade that crossed the arabic peninsula), and an etnographic exhibition showing clothes, tools and artifacts used by the emiratis in the past. Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the first president of the U.A.E. was born in Al Ain and there is also some space dedicated to him. (The name of the fortress correspond to his father since it was built under his rule)

First the exhibiton was inside the fortress, then they build the museum on the side. The museum is very small something that I really appreciate. However it could be improved a little: a cafeteria and museum shop and a space for childrens workshop could add more life to an already interesting exhibition. (the architect in me always slips away…) The sketch correspond to the fortress courtyard.