Qasr Al Hosn

The Qasr Al Hosn (Arabic: قصر الحصن, Qaṣr al-Ḥuṣn, "Fortified Palace") is a historical landmark and the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Its construction was supervised by Mohammed Al Bastaki^[1] in 1761.^[2]

Interior of the palace

Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn in May 2019
Location	Sheikh Zayed the First Street
Coordinates	24.48239°N 54.35482°E / 24.48239; 54.35482
Built	1931 outer Fort with 30 m high main watchtower around the 1761 inner fort
Location of Qasr Al Hosn in United Arab Emirates

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 had been refurbished 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 - 2024

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]