Do you enjoy exploring the past of any county or city you travel to? Does the history of Dubai excite you and fill you with the zeal to explore its rich historical places? Do you also want to explore Old Dubai as if you have been living here for quite some time? If your answer to all of these questions is yes then you must have heard of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, made in the 19th century. Exploring this place will give you all sorts of insights into the rich and vibrant history of Dubai. You will feel like you have been transported back in time while cruising through the streets of Al Fahidi.
In this blog, we will explore the vibrant streets of Al Fahidi, adorned with sandstone, teak, gypsum, palm wood, and sandalwood. Each street, alleyway, twisting pathway, and towers speak of a story that has been written in 200 years and how life used to be before the Emirates.
Historical Significance of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
Whenever one imagines Dubai, one thinks of the tallest skyscrapers, rapid technological advancement,s and all things modern but at the core of this magnificent city lies a place of heritage and history. The Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is straight out of an Arabian Nights tale which is untouched by any modernity and has all the quintessential sites that narrate the old stories of the wondrous past of Dubai.
In the beginning, this place was known as Al Bastakiya which was named after Iran’s Bastak region. Most of the early inhabitants came from this place only. Al Fahidi was a budding town in the 19th century, people from the textile and pearl industry would come here to get wealthy returns and it also played a very significant role as a port city too.
Along with this, it was also an artistic marvel where the Emirati way of life bloomed in the best imaginable sense. It was rich with traditional crafts and close-knit communities. There were magnificent wind towers constructed here in order to keep the inhabitants safe from the heat. This town presented many architectural innovations which were way ahead of its time.
What All Can You Explore In Al Fahidi?
If you are traveling for the first time, or an expat, or are a local who just hasn’t explored the old Dubai yet then there are a plethora of things you can do here with fun events and activities that are organized almost every day.
Since there are around 50 places you can explore so going from street to street is not so feasible. First, start from the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre where you can immerse yourself into a vibrant cultural tour of the district. This center is made for Cultural Understanding or SMCCU. Then you can go to the beautiful Coins Museum where you will get to witness around 470 coins. These coins shed light on the monetary system during the British Empire and also feature coins from India and other countries before independence.
The Dubai Museum
The Dubai Museum is one of the oldest buildings in Dubai and it offers you a beautiful glimpse of how this city transformed into a modern megapolis from a fishing village in a proper chronological manner. This museum was also home to the former reigning monarch then it was transformed into a museum and then in 1971, it was made into a museum.
Al Farooq Museum
The architecture of this museum presents the epitome of what traditional Arabian architecture looked like. The Blue Mosque of Istanbul is what inspired the architectural style of this museum. The minute and intricate detailing on the museum is what attracts people and makes them admire and wonder.
Textile Market
In the Textile Souk, you will witness wooden roofs and underneath those you will find a variety of textiles, embroidered fabrics, elaborate woven rugs, and many different cultural garments that represent Emirati craftsmanship. This is a place where you can just casually stroll around, and collect different specimens of Arabic clothing and more.
Coffee Museum
Coffee is not native to UAE but it has a great influence on the history of Emirates and its culture. To understand how this influx of coffee affected Dubai, exploring the Dubai Museum is the perfect place. It features over 300 antique coffee pots and has tons of interactive exhibits you can be a part of.
Conclusion
Today, Dubai has transformed into a city of modern wonders and cultural richness which go hand in hand. This foundation was laid back in the 19th century and one area that plays a huge part in this rich background is the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood where you can witness preserved historical eminence with museums and other heritage sites. If you want to immerse yourself into this rich history and culture of Dubai then visiting the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is a must.
