Abu Dhabi is preparing to welcome a major new cultural landmark this December. The Sheikh Zayed National Museum, situated on Saadiyat Island, will open its doors to the public in December 2025, offering a profound exploration of the United Arab Emirates’ history, culture, and the enduring legacy of its founding father.
Designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster and his firm, Foster + Partners, the museum’s architecture is a powerful symbol in its own right. Its form is defined by five soaring steel structures, deliberately evoking the shape of a falcon’s wing – an iconic emblem deeply embedded in Emirati heritage. The structure stands as a physical tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the revered founder of the UAE.
Inside, visitors will encounter six permanent galleries alongside a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions. The collections promise a comprehensive journey through the UAE’s past and present, featuring significant artifacts drawn from private collections and international institutions. Among the standout treasures confirmed for display are the renowned Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world’s oldest natural pearls ever discovered, and the magnificent Blue Quran, a unique masterpiece of early Islamic artistry.
The museum will also showcase a major reconstruction project: an ancient Magan civilization vessel. This significant object is the result of a collaborative research initiative involving Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi, highlighting the museum’s commitment to scholarship.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, emphasized the museum’s deeper purpose, stating it will serve as “a living embodiment of Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, a testament to his faith in people, their capacity to learn, preserve unity, practice tolerance and take pride in their national identity.”
The opening of this national museum fulfills a vision held by Sheikh Zayed himself, who was a passionate advocate for cultural preservation. His commitment led to the inauguration of the first museum in Al Ain in 1971, shortly after the UAE’s formation, and the establishment of the first Cultural Foundation in 1981.
The new museum’s collection will integrate significant archaeological discoveries made over the last half-century within the UAE. This includes fascinating evidence such as fragments of the world’s oldest known falaj irrigation system and artifacts demonstrating the region’s copper mining activities during the Bronze Age, providing tangible links to the ancient civilizations that flourished on this land. The Sheikh Zayed National Museum is poised to become a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s cultural district and a vital destination for understanding the soul of the nation.
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