Abu Dhabi’s highly anticipated Zayed National Museum will officially open its doors to the public in December, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, the national museum is a tribute to the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It aims to present a sweeping narrative of the nation’s heritage — from its earliest human history some 300,000 years ago to the formation of the modern UAE.
Speaking to The National, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT – Abu Dhabi, emphasized the museum’s emotional and cultural significance: “This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity.” He described it as a place where the UAE’s story is told not only through artifacts but also through memory, emotion, and vision.
Designed by the renowned UK firm Foster+Partners, the museum’s architecture has already become a striking feature of Abu Dhabi’s skyline. Its five feather-shaped steel structures, inspired by traditional falconry, symbolize the museum’s national character and connection to Emirati culture.
Among the highlights of the museum’s collection is the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the oldest natural pearls ever discovered, along with five illuminated folios from the revered Blue Quran. Also on display will be a centerpiece attraction — an 18-meter-long reconstruction of a Magan boat, which reflects the UAE’s seafaring and Bronze Age trade history.
This vessel, built through a collaboration involving Zayed National Museum, Zayed University, and NYU Abu Dhabi, underwent sea trials last year, sailing nearly 93 kilometers in the Arabian Gulf.
Moaza Matar, acting director of curatorial, collection management, and design, told The National that the boat is an important educational bridge: “It will be a very exciting moment when visitors get to see the vessel in real life within the galleries of Zayed National Museum.”