Qasr Al Hosn

Photograph by Natalie Christensen  

Qasr Al Hosn, c. 1761-1795

Built in the late 18th century, Qasr Al Hosn is considered the city’s first permanent structure and is the only remaining pre-oil era building in Abu Dhabi. It was originally intended to protect the city’s freshwater well and regional trade routes; since then, the building has served as the seat of government, ancestral home to the ruling family Al Nahyan, and as a national archive. The apertures located throughout the walls ventilate gusts of wind throughout the building, keeping the courtyards cooler than the surrounding city. In 2018, Qasr Al Hosn transitioned to a museum and a national monument showcasing the heritage and political development of Abu Dhabi.