Since opening its gates in 2008, Al Jahili Fort – set about an hour and a half away from Abu Dhabi in the lush garden city of Al Ain – has been a focal point of activities associated with the philosophy, culture, and heritage of Abu Dhabi. Built in the 1890s on the orders of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, also known as Zayed the First, the fort originally served as a home to members of the ruling Al Nahyan family.
Constructed from sun-dried mud brick, Al Jahili Fort underwent early restoration in 1985, followed by a major rehabilitation project by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi between 2007 and 2008. Surrounded by a lush park, the enchanting fort received the prestigious Terra Award for Internal Design and Layout in 2016.
A Cultural Centre and Tourist Attraction
Transformed into a cultural centre and tourist attraction, Al Jahili Fort now houses a temporary exhibition gallery as well as a permanent exhibition devoted to Sir Wilfred Thesiger, an intrepid explorer, travel writer, and photographer who, with his Emirati and Omani companions, crossed the world’s largest sand mass, the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali), twice in the 1940s. Nearby, visitors can also explore the historical Jahili Mosque, built around the same time as the fort.
Architectural Marvels and Historical Significance
The fort complex at Al Jahili contains many individual elements of traditional mudbrick architecture, including a round watchtower, a square fort with defensive towers at its corners, two large walled enclosures, and a mosque outside the walls. Recent work has even uncovered the remains of a falaj, or covered irrigation channel.
The different elements of the building provide a strong physical and visual link to significant local and regional historical events of both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Today, its prominent location at the centre of Al Ain and its landmark status symbolize the traditional architecture and cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi.
Restoration and Conservation Efforts
The oldest parts of the fort are the inner fort and the separate multi-tiered round tower, which date back to the 1890s. The fort was used by the Trucial Oman Levies (TOL) until 1971 when it was passed over to the Union Defence Force. The fort underwent a significant restoration from 1986-89, which included the creation of a large courtyard now used for classical music concerts and other public events. The monumental entrance flanked by large towers was also added during this period.
Conservation and rehabilitation works carried out by the Department of Culture and Tourism in 2007 preserved the historic building while transforming it into an active visitor destination with an information centre and exhibition spaces. The project combined traditional materials and techniques of earthen building with innovative modern technology to provide additional cooling inside the rooms around the arcaded gallery.
Exhibition Spaces and Modern Facilities
The north wing of the courtyard is devoted to a permanent exhibition of black and white photographs by Wilfred Thesiger, entitled ‘Bin London and Freedom of the Desert’. The west wing is used as the temporary exhibitions centre, while the south wing contains an information centre for visitors to the fort and Al Ain, as well as a bookshop and majlis.
A Model for Adaptive Reuse
Al Jahili Fort is the first project of its kind to combine traditional and new technologies within a large historic mudbrick structure, serving as a model for the adaptive reuse of traditional buildings to meet modern needs. It has become a centre for historical information and a monument of heritage, history, and civilization.
Visiting Al Jahili Fort
Opening Hours
Daily: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Contact Information
– Phone : 037118311
– Email : Jahili-fort@dctabudhabi.ae
– Address : 20, Mohammed Bin Khalifa St, Al Jahili, Al Ain 30013
Entry Timing and Ticket Pricing
The best time to visit Al Jahili Fort is between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The entry price is 1 AED.
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Experience the rich history and cultural heritage of Al Jahili Fort, a landmark that continues to captivate visitors with its architectural beauty and historical significance. Plan your visit today to explore one of the UAE’s most treasured cultural sites.