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| A comprehensive
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to current and future events and exhibitions in
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
WHAT TO SEE
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Sharjah
Sharjah City, a bustling administrative and commercial centre with its own distinctive ambience, has some fine restored traditional buildings, together with a wide range of impressive museums. In 1998 the city was designated by UNESCO as the cultural capital of the Arab world for its commitment to art, culture and preserving its heritage.
Khor Khalid tidal creek runs inland from the port. The first narrow section harbours an active dhow fleet, with trading goods piled high on the quays along the Corniche. Inland the Creek widens to a large lake, with a 100-metre-high fountain and is circled by the impressive Buhaira Corniche.
Archaeological Museum (06 5665466 archeo@emirates.net.ae, www.archaeology.gov.ae)
Located in the heart of Sharjah near the Cultural (or Quran) roundabout, this is a modern lively interactive archaeological museum tracing the history of Sharjah from ancient times. A gold halter, found with a ritually slaughtered horse in a grave near Mleiha is particularly beautiful.
The museum’s library houses a range of archaeological and historical books, magazines, periodicals and specialized reports.
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Sharjah Arts Area
Just off the Corniche and on the north side of Burj Avenue (Bank Road), the arts area comprises five architecturally acclaimed heritage buildings and a mosque dating back to the end of the eighteenth century. Here you will find Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah Art Centre, Sharjah Art Galleries, Emirates Fine Arts Society and the Very Special Art Centre. There is also a café. Parking is available alongside the Creek (3 minutes walk) or in the basement below the Sharjah Art Museum.
The Sharjah Art Centre is housed in the beautifully renovated three-storey Bait Al Sarkal that used to be the house of the British Commissioner for the coast of Oman and was later turned into the missionary hospital, where many prominent Sharjah residents were born. The Art Centre offers classes for all ages and abilities, conducted by qualified art teachers.
Next door is the Art Cafe, which serves local meals, snacks and beverages. At the far end of the area, Art Studios are housed in the Obaid Al Shamsi house, where many artists have a place to work. Close by the house of Abdulla Al Sari has been transformed into an area where disabled persons can practice their art.
On the opposite side of the square is the Sharjah Art Museum (06 5688222), which was opened in 1997 and is the largest art museum in the Gulf. It has a total of 32 exhibition halls, of which eight are dedicated to the private collection of the Ruler who has donated them to the museum. This collection consists of eighteenth and nineteenth century oil paintings, watercolours and lithographs as well as modern paintings of local scenes. The museum has a very active programme of rotating exhibitions, covering every field of art, both local and international.
The architecture of the new museum building blends very well with the old buildings in the square, and the whole area with its narrow alleyways and special lighting has a very special atmosphere.
Sharjah Heritage Area
On the opposite side of Burj Avenue is the Heritage area, devoted to local markets, meeting places and small museums. This beautifully renovated district is a shining example of Sharjah’s commitment to heritage and culture that was instrumental in earning it the UNESCO title of cultural capital of the Arab World in 1998.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization(06 5655455) (www.islamicmuseum.ae) is situated at the historical heart of Sharjah on the Majarrah Waterfront. The building first opened in 1987 as the Souq al-Majarrah and quickly became a popular landmark for both visitors and the people of Sharjah. The building was only the second of its kind in the Gulf region, after Sharjah's 'New' or 'Central' Souq to use Arab-Islamic design elements in the ground-plan and décor. The building was renovated and reopened in 2008 as the Museum of Islamic Civilisation. It houses more than five thousand exquisite Islamic artefacts from all over the Islamic World, arranged according to themes over seven spacious galleries and display areas. The collection includes rare Islamic manuscripts as well as items of Arabic art, including ninth century Iranian bowls, twelfth century daggers from Morocco and jewellery from Afghanistan.
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The Sharjah Heritage Museum
This museum is near Bait Al Naboodah (06 5693999), opposite Souq al-Arsah. The architecturally interesting two-storey family house, built around a shaded courtyard, is dedicated to a reconstruction of family life long ago. The various rooms have displays of traditional furniture and household items as well as children’s games, jewellery and costumes.
The Majlis of Ibrahim Mohammed Al Midfa (06 5693999)
The Majlis is situated between the Souq al-Arsah and the Corniche in a beautiful building with some delightful architectural features. It contains many interesting pieces that originally belonged to the owner, who was secretary for four rulers of Sharjah before his death in 1983.
Bait Al Gharbi (06 5687711)
Bait Al Gharbi in Al Qasaba Square opposite the Islamic Museum is the restored house belonging to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Three different types of cooling windtowers make this house particularly unique.
Al Husn (Sharjah Fort) (06 5687711)
Built by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi in 1820, this carefully restored fort situated in the middle of Burj Avenue was the residence of the ruling family for 200 years. In 1969 it was torn down, but the present Ruler restored it with the help of old photographs and documents, his own notes and the assistance of elderly residents. It now houses a museum with exhibits on pearl fishing, education and trade, as well jewellery, weapons and old photographs.
Sharjah Science Museum (06 5668777)
Situated in Halwan, next to the Sharjah TV Station, the science museum has 50 excellent interactive exhibits covering physics, chemistry, biology and astronomy.
Discovery Centre (06 5586577)
Located along the Sharjah – Dhaid Highway, directly after interchange 4 and opposite the airport, this was the first interactive ‘hands-on’ children’s museum in the UAE. The exhibits are grouped into themes such as roads, shops, banks, etc. In these familiar environments imagination, play and fun are part of the learning process. The wonders of the human body are explained in the Body Zone. In Water World you can dam a stream, make a fountain, and sail a boat. ‘Sharjah Airport’ is the place where you can put on wings and fly away. In ‘Drive Town’ you can drive a car and test your road knowledge as well as learn about the mechanics of the car. Other areas teach about sports, shopping and handling money. A cafeteria and gift shop is on the premises.
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The Planetarium (06 5286227)
Located in Majaz near Sharjah bridge, the Planetarium specializes in astronomy and celestial navigation. Open for groups only by appointment.
Al Mahatah Museum (06 5733073)
Situated in Al Mahatah fort at the old airport in Sharjah, Al Mahatah houses British memorabilia relating to the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, the main theme being travel and transport.
Sharjah Police Museum (06 5633333)
Located at the Police Headquarters in Maysaloun, this museum has a good collection of armaments, riot and combat gear, models of old walls and forts.
Khor Al Khan
Khor al Khan is a lagoon, separated from the sea by a narrow promontory on which Al Khan fishing village is situated. The old village, which has several watchtowers and some coral block houses, is home to a traditional fishing community.
Sharjah Desert Park (06 5311999)
Sharjah Desert Park is 25 km out of town at intersection no. 8 on the Sharjah – Dhaid Highway. The grounds contain the Natural History museum, the Children's Farm, the Arabian Wildlife Centre and an off-limits Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Animals.
The Natural History Museum opened in 1995 and was immediately very popular because of its state-of-the-art displays. Lively with light and sound effects as well as video games, the exhibits deal with local habitats, plant and animal life, geology and marine life.
Sharjah Aquarium
Submerge yourself in the colourful, rich and diverse undersea world that is
home to a variety of marine life native to the seas around us.
With over 250 species there is so much to see from the smallest clown fish
and delicate seahorses to moray eels, rays and reef sharks. Take a journey
underwater and discover everything from the larger ocean creatures to the
smaller marine life to be found in the rock pools, coral reefs, lagoons and
mangroves.
Sharjah Natural History & Botanical Museum
Take an incredible journey through time at this interactive, high tech
museum. Different halls show the region's natural history, with displays of
desert and marine ecosystems. Go back in time to encounter dinosaur models,
erupting volcanoes, prehistoric fossils and meteorites from outer space.
On the same site as the Natural History Museum, learn about the development
of plants and the complex relationship between humans and botany.
Sharjah Art Museum & Contemporary Arab Art
Walk into a world of artistic excellence and expression. Opened in April
1997 this is the largest art museum in the Gulf with both temporary
exhibitions and permanent collections by renowned artists.
Explore the history of the region through the Orientalist painters of the
18th and 19th centuries, as well as gallery after gallery of stunning
landscapes, cityscapes and portraits painted in oil, watercolours and
acrylics, created by both local and internationally renowned artists.
Enter three floors of galleries dedicated to modern creative expression.
Focusing on exhibitions and collections of over 300 works of art, you will
see graphic displays exhibiting an amazing array of styles and
interpretations created by artists from the Arab world, in a variety of
media. Encounter painting and sculptures to capture and cultivate your
imagination. Throughout the year the museum holds special exhibitions.
El Eslah Museum
Established in 1935 and the first formal educational institute to be opened
in Sharjah, this school welcomed pupils from all over the Gulf region.
Experience school life as it was some 70 years ago while sitting at the
wooden desks in the shaded classrooms and imagine attending an Islamic
school. See images of the people that brought education to life and visit
the Headmaster's Room to admire the Holy Quran stands made from palm wood.
During term time, students from overseas would spend their nights in the
upstairs dormitory.
Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim
Follow the life of an esteemed pearl merchant and his family, who made their
home in the 'Heart of Sharjah' over 100 years ago.
As you wander from room to room, you can appreciate a time without the
luxuries of today but one full of ingenuity and imagination. See a
traditional kitchen and typical living areas, rich bridal attire, ornate
swords and daggers, baskets made from palm, rosewater containers and a
decorative wooden pearl chest.
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Enter this museum and you embark on a fascinating journey of discovery
across centuries of Arabian heritage in the form of beautifully written
script.
Created by local artists and well-known international calligraphers,
significant works of art from the Arab world demonstrate the complexity of
this vibrant art form and its historical and Islamic foundations. Arabic
calligraphy seen on canvas, wood, paper and ceramics will inspire you with
its positive and living energy.
Bait Sheikh Said Bin Hamad al Qassimi
No trip to Sharjah is complete without exploring the Emirate's East Coast.
Sandy beaches, scenic mountains, lush mangroves and heritage sites await
you. In the traditional fishing village of Kalba, you will find a charismatic
old
fort and the prominent beachside residence of H.E. Sheikh Saeed bin Hamed Al
Qasimi, both fully restored to display items of Islamic heritage and
lifestyle, archaeological finds, weapons, agricultural equipment, in
addition to a collection of musical instruments. Inland, in a beautiful
setting overlooking the mangroves is Al Ghail Fort.
Sharjah Maritime Museum (Opening soon)
The sea has played a key role in Sharjah's development and was the primary
reason for the first settlers choosing this site over 6,000 years ago.
In the museum you can explore traditional wooden seafaring dhows used for
fishing, trading and pearling, each designed according to their use. See
genuine Arabian pearls, discover how they were collected, measured and
weighed. Admire the powerful wooden pulley blocks used to raise and lower
sails and discover the local traditions for catching fish.
More info visit www.sharjahmuseums.ae
Around Sharjah
Sharjah’s enclaves of Dibba, Khor Fakkan and Kalba on the East Coast are well worth a visit. As are important arrchaeological sites such as Tell Abraq (on the border with Umm al-Qaiwain), Al Madam, Al Thuqaibah, Mileiha, Jebel Buhays and Jebel Emalah in the interior of Sharjah south of Al Dhaid.
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