Sharjah Archaeology Museum
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.
Sharjah Arts Area
Just off the Corniche and on the north side of Burj Avenue (Bank Road), the Arts Area encompasses 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.
Sharjah Art Centre
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.
Sharjah Art Museum & Contemporary Arab Art
On the opposite side of the square is the Sharjah Art Museum, 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, including the delightful Souq al-Arsah, 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.
Bait Al Naboodah
The former residence of the pearl-trading Al Shamsi family, this architecturally interesting two-storey house, built around a shaded courtyard, is dedicated to a reconstruction of traditional family life. The various rooms have displays of furniture and household items as well as children’s games, jewellery and costumes.
Majlis of Ibrahim Mohammed Al Midfa
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
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.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
This museum www.islamicmuseum.ae is 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. It was subsequently renovated and reopened in 2008 as the Museum of Islamic Civilization. The museum houses more than 5,000 exquisite Islamic artefacts from all over the Islamic World, arranged thematically 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.
Al Husn (Sharjah Fort)
Built by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi in 1820, this carefully restored fort 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
Situated in Halwan, next to the Sharjah TV Station, the science museum has 50 excellent interactive exhibits covering physics, chemistry, biology and astronomy.
Al Mahatah Museum
The museum in Al Mahatah fort at the old airport in Sharjah houses British memorabilia relating to the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, the main theme being travel and transport.
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.
Al Eslah School 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
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.
Sharjah Maritime Museum
The sea has played a key role in Sharjah's development throughout the millennia. 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.
www.sharjahmuseums.ae
http://www.sharjahtourism.ae/en/heritage/museums/
Discovery Centre
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.
Sharjah Desert Park
Sharjah Desert Park is 28 kilometres 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.
Sharjah Natural History & Botanical Museum
Take an incredible journey through time at this interactive, high tech museum. Different halls explain the region's natural history, with displays of desert and marine ecosystems. 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. 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.
Arabian Wildlife Centre
Opened in September 1999, this wildlife centre is often referred to as a zoo but it is definitely far more than a display of captive animals. The centre is unique in that it demonstrates the diversity of the fauna found in the peninsula and creates awareness of the indigenous species that have and are becoming extinct. All the animals are housed in spacious natural surroundings.
Bait Sheikh Said bin Hamad al Qasimi
No trip to Sharjah is complete without exploring the emirate's enclaves on the east coast. 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.
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