Qasr Al Hosn or the White Fort as it is sometimes called started out as a simple watchtower in 1761 to safeguard the only freshwater well on the island of Abu Dhabi. The tower was converted into a small fort by Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Dhiyab in 1793. The Fort underwent further expansion and fortification in the 1930s under the reign of Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan. Today Qasr Al Hosn stands tall in the centre of the United Arab Emirates’ capital. It is the oldest stone building in the city and a national monument. It tells the tale of a nation that rose to wealth and power from humble beginning. Today, it is a bustling metropolis that sees business travellers and leisure travellers alike. The city has risen to the challenge of catering to their many requirements, from smart urban business hotel to luxury villa, Abu Dhabi has got it all.
The Qasr Al Hosn Exhibition is one that has been taking place yearly since 2013. It celebrates Abu Dhabi, the Emirati culture, its traditions, history and heritage through music, art and other displays. The 2015 exhibition, the third edition of the festival will focus on the fort’s conservation process and its functions it once served. It will also highlight the people who lived in the fort and the roles they played. Guided tours will give the public access to restricted areas in the Fort. The story of Qasr Al Hosn and the story of Abu Dhabi itself are seen as one and the same.During the festival the already bustling hub becomes even busier, step away from the busy city and check into the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi, which is located within the celebrated Arabian Wildlife Park. The tranquil escape promises to show you a side to the big city you never imagined.
Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world. Google+