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ATTRACTIONS Visitor information
HISTORY LESSON
ABU DHABI IS A RICH TAPESTRY OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE WHERE VISITORS CAN EXPLORE THE EMIRATE'S TRADITIONS.
SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE The majestic Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque is prob- ably the most imposing religious and national landmark in Abu Dhabi. Known locally as the Grand Mosque, its initial architectural design is Moroccan, but with global influences.
Natural materials were chosen for its design and construction, which include marble, stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. The mosque features 80 domes all decorated with white marble. The main dome's outer shell measures 32.7 metres in diameter and stands 70 metres high from the inside and 85 metres from the outside - the largest of its kind.
A total of 1,096 exterior columns and 96 columns in the main prayer hall are embedded with more than 20,000 handmade marble panels encrusted with semi-precious stones including lapis lazuli, amethyst and mother of pearl. Four beautiful minarets standing 107 metres adorn each corner of the mosque. The mosque also features seven 24-carat gold-plated chandeliers which were imported from Germany, all designed with thousands of Swarovski crystals.
Gaining an insight into Islam and UAE history 5-30
Opening hours for self- tours are 9am-8pm daily, apart from Fridays when the Mosque opens in the afternoon. Guided tours take place at 10am, 11am and 5pm (just 5pm on Fridays) Groups larger than 10 should pre-book
CULTURAL FOUNDATION This arts hub hosts rotating photography, art and various cultural exhibitions throughout the year, as well as concerts and screenings of international films in the in-house cinema. The centre also houses the National Library and the Institute of Culture & Art.
HERITAGE VILLAGE The Abu Dhabi Heritage Village on Mussafah Road depicts trad i t ional daily activities of the local community prior to the discovery of oil. The Heritage Village, also known as Bedouin Village, located just behind the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, features replicas of a Bedouin settlement of the pre-oil era, including mud-brick houses, a traditional mosque and souk. There are camel rides on the premises along with demonstrations of falconry. A second Heritage Village, overlooking the Corniche near the breakwaters, is run by the Emirates Heritage Club and offers a journey into the past, with Bedouin tents, palm houses, old fishing villages, traditional souks and maritime traditions on display.
abudhabi 2011
A shop on the premises displays various local crafts, a large number of photographs and a unique coll- ection of the Holy Qur'an.
Early evening event 30-50
Avoid the midday heat. Late afternoon is a perfect time to go Take a tour of one of the Heritage Villages and follow up with an Arabic mezzeh at a local restaurant for an authentic evening out
A visit to the Cultural Foundation provides a unique insight into Abu Dhabi's cultural heritage as its remit is the preservation of valuable examples of the emirate's archaeological and architectural heritage. Visitors to its halls will be fascinated by the items on display including a model of old Abu Dhabi city, traditional musical instruments, gifts from visiting overseas dignitaries, examples of Islamic art and a vast collection of black and white photographs documenting the last five decades of development. The government's Authority for Culture and Heritage has also established an outlet for traditional Emirati handicrafts within the centre where Emirati women demonstrate basket weaving, embroidery and other heritage pastimes. Items are also available for purchase.
A cultural overview of the emirate of Abu Dhabi 5-40 The Cultural Foundation is open from 8am to 3pm and 5pm to 9.30pm Sunday to Thursday. It is open 5pm to 8pm on Friday and from 9am to 12pm and then 5pm to 8pm on Saturdays. Call ahead or check online to see what's on the programme during your visit.
ATTRACTIONS KEY
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