/large_twhtt_1cacf49ac1.jpg?size=95.17)
15 Aug 2025
“A country is not measured by the size of its area on the map. A country is truly measured by its heritage and culture.” — Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
In the arena of Abu Dhabi’s iconic Saadiyat Island, five elegant wing-looking towers rise from the floor. Come December 2025, those towers will herald the official opening of the The National Museum of the UAE, a project over a decade in the making, poised to become the cultural and emotional heart of the United Arab Emirates.
Who was Sheikh Zayed?
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918–2004) was the founding President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi for over three decades. Widely revered as the "Father of the Nation", Sheikh Zayed was instrumental in uniting the seven emirates into a single federation in 1971 — a moment that transformed the Gulf region and reshaped the modern Middle East.
Born in Abu Dhabi in a time of hardship, Sheikh Zayed grew into a leader known for his wisdom, humility, and deep respect for tradition, coupled with a bold vision for progress. He invested heavily in education, infrastructure, and environmental conservation, laying the foundation for a country that would soon become one of the world’s most forward-looking and inclusive societies.
His leadership style was rooted in consensus, compassion and dialogue, and his legacy continues to guide the values of the UAE today.
Among his many enduring quotes is one that captures the ethos behind the new museum — “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future.”
He established the first museum in Al Ain in 1971, followed by the Cultural Foundation in 1981 — laying the groundwork for a national cultural ecosystem. Today, the museum that bears his name builds on this legacy with a renewed sense of purpose.
/medium_gulfnews_2024_12_20_wuor41qo_Photographs_of_Sheikh_Zayed_bin_Sultan_Al_Nahyan_1731906309318_1933da90cf7_original_ratio_9299983903.jpeg?size=39.39)
A national narrative
Conceived as a tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the visionary Founding Father of the UAE, the Zayed National Museum is far more than just a building — it is an architectural symbol of nationhood.
Designed by the esteemed British architects Foster + Partners, the museum’s structure takes inspiration from the falcon, a bird synonymous with Emirati tradition and nobility.
The five towering “wings” not only represent the feathers of a falcon at rest, but also serve an ingenious environmental purpose. Acting as solar thermal chimneys, the towers draw hot air upwards, cooling the galleries below through passive ventilation — melding modern sustainability with ancient wisdom. The base of the museum emerges from a sculptural earthwork mound, evoking both the natural landscapes of the UAE and the ancient settlements that once thrived there.
Lord Norman Foster himself described the project as “a confluence of poetry and purpose, inspired by the past yet looking firmly to the future.”
/large_4_ext_drone_shot_1_87aa33ed1c.jpeg?size=125.58)
A story spanning 300,000 years
Inside, the museum offers a deeply immersive journey through six permanent galleries, each exploring a different facet of Emirati life and identity.
Visitors to the museum will be taken on a journey across six permanent galleries, situated over two levels and narrating the story of the UAE — from ancient desert communities to the birth of the modern state. In addition, a temporary exhibition space will host curated shows and international partnerships.
The museum’s collection draws from archaeological discoveries, private donations, and institutional loans. Highlights include:
— The Abu Dhabi Pearl — one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, offering insight into the Arabian Gulf’s ancient pearling traditions
— The Blue Qur’an — a dazzling manuscript regarded as one of the greatest achievements in Islamic calligraphy
— A suspended recreation of a Bronze Age Magan Boat — the result of a collaborative research project between Zayed University and NYU Abu Dhabi
Other key exhibits explore over 300,000 years of habitation in the region, featuring Neolithic tools, the world’s oldest known falaj (irrigation system), and evidence of Bronze Age copper mining — testaments to the innovation and resilience of the UAE’s earliest communities.
/large_by_our_coasts_v2_16x9_c57e13514e.jpeg?size=61.99)
Rooted in legacy, built for the future
As His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, notes:
“This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory and vision.”
Through its immersive exhibitions, pioneering research, and inclusive programming, the museum upholds Sheikh Zayed’s vision of a society founded on knowledge, tolerance, and pride in identity.
Education and accessibility lie at the core of its mission. The museum will engage diverse audiences — from students and scholars to People of Determination, young creatives, and senior citizens — creating space for multigenerational and cross-cultural dialogue.
A cultural crown jewel
The Zayed National Museum anchors the Saadiyat Cultural District, which, when complete, will represent one of the highest concentrations of cultural institutions anywhere in the world.
Alongside the Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Natural History Museum, it forms part of a broader mission to position Abu Dhabi as a global crossroads of civilisations.
More than a static collection, the museum is imagined as a dynamic platform for cultural exchange. It will support international collaborations, travelling exhibitions, and academic partnerships, bridging global narratives with the distinct character of the Emirates.
/large_explore_more_v2_16x9_484265ef41.jpeg?size=139.21)
When to visit
While the exact date hasn't been announced, the opening is anticipated to coincide with UAE National Day (December 2) — a fitting tribute to the man whose legacy it enshrines.
Ticketing, access information and a preview of public programming will soon be released via the museum’s official website.
/medium_KAWS_CHUM_max_3188x1794_Picsart_Ai_Image_Enhancer_2e123abaa0.jpg?size=35.27)
/medium_1_1_43d13ecb77.jpg?size=48.77)
/medium_Whats_App_Image_2025_02_25_at_3_48_58_PM_2_c9f22123b8.jpeg?size=57.21)
/medium_pexels_miguel_cuenca_67882473_13396890_1_160c1e1c96.jpg?size=51.25)
/medium_6948603841_a4e0e08666_o_8a19b0255a.jpg?size=43.44)
/medium_917_9cabcd9619.png?size=455.76)