Al Shindagha Historical District
Strategically located along the Dubai creek, it was once home to Dubai’s ruling family. Today it houses Al Shindagha Museum and continues to celebrate Dubai’s history and heritage.
Al Shindagha Historic District - Aerial ViewAl Shindagha Museum
These aerial views of Al Shindagha Historic District highlight the strategic location of the neighbourhood along the Dubai Creek as well as the organic growth and massing of its urban fabric,
which showcases the architectural heritage of the city and features Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum’s House, the ruler of Dubai between 1912-1958, along with traditional residences, mosques and watchtowers.
Al Shindagha Historic District - Aerial ViewAl Shindagha Museum
Located at the mouth to the creek, it historically overlooked the merchants’ harbour and consisted of neighbourhoods and residences for the ruling family (Al Maktoum) and the people of Dubai, at a time when the economy was at its humble beginnings.
The traditional style of life that was prevalent in Dubai from the mid19th century till the 1970s is reflected at Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood, where buildings with high wind towers (Barajeel),
Al Shindagha Historic District - Aerial ViewAl Shindagha Museum
built with traditional building materials such as stone, gypsum, teak, sandal wood, fronds and palm wood are aligned side by side, separated by alleys, pathways and public squares, which give the district a natural and beautiful diversity.
Al Shindagha Historic District - NeighbourhoodAl Shindagha Museum
Al Shindagha neighbourhood has undergone major restoration and revitalisation works, to revive the historic area and its buildings, telling the story of Dubai and its history.
The restoration project included 162 historic buildings in an area of 169,000 square meters.
Dubai Creek Interconnectivity InstallationAl Shindagha Museum
The area is now home to Al Shindagha Museum, where a universal tale of human innovation, resilience, and the desire for progress is told, shaping the Dubai of today.
Al Shindagha Historic District - Aerial ViewAl Shindagha Museum
The open-air museum, across its thematic pavilions housed in these traditional structures, explores Emirati cultural heritage and its origins, while highlighting Dubai’s shared heritage with the region and wider world.
Al Shindagha Historic District - Aerial ViewAl Shindagha Museum
The House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum is the most prominent landmark in Dubai’s Historic district.
Al Shindagha Historic District - Aerial ViewAl Shindagha Museum
The building, overlooking Khor Dubai, dates back to 1896, when it was used as the seat of the ruler of Dubai at the time, and constituted an important period in the history of the emirate, which earned it its historical significance within the urban fabric of the city.
Al Shindagha Historic District - NeighbourhoodAl Shindagha Museum
The house was restored in 1986, focusing on its traditional and authentic features. It now tells the story of Al Maktoum family as part of Al Shindagha Museum.
Al Shindagha Historic District - Aerial ViewAl Shindagha Museum
Discover here coral-clad houses and wind-towers built with traditional materials as you journey through meandering alleyways and interconnected courtyards.
Al Shindagha Historic District - NeighbourhoodAl Shindagha Museum
Al Shindagha Historic District: A stroll through time
Watch this video of the historical neighborhood that features Al Shindagha Museum. Once the home of the ruling family, this creek-side district plays an important role in showcasing the traditional lifestyle and architecture of Dubai from the mid-19th century.
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