Heritage Area
The restoration of Sharjah’s old city began in the mid 1990’s. Today, the buildings , which were formerly the residences of prominent national families have been reconstructed and transformed into museums depicting Arabian lifestyle as it was some 200 years ago.
Anyone who has an interest in local history, culture and architecture will enjoy exploring this part of the old city, although a visit will be of more interest to children over six years of age. Whilst you are in the area, visit Souq Al Arsah, Sharjah’s oldest market where the city’s real history lives quietly amongst the narrow alleyways and where shopping malls and high-rise buildings are not to be seen.
Museum
More than 20 museums and heritage areas provide the perfect platform to showcase the arts, crafts, traditions and importance of Islam in the lifestyles of the people in this most fascinating of cities. One such musuem is the Majlis of Ibrahim Mohammed Al Midfa, home to the UAE’s only round wind tower. Another is the Sharjah Hisn, the Ruler’s home built in 1820. It was almost completely demolished in the 1970s when the Emirate’s tide of modernity threatened to engulf it, but was saved by the Ruler, HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, who restored it to its former glory.
Around 6,000 years ago when the first settlement of the city began the population was small and people relied on trade, seafaring , farming , hunting and pearling. From the time of the early trading with the East , to the settlement of the mighty Qawassim seafaring tribe and into the first half of the 19th century, Sharjah was the most important port on the lower Arabian Gulf. The first international airport on this coast was established in 1932. The Federation of the UAE was formed in 1971.
Museum opens daily from 08:00 to 20:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 on Fridays.
