Al-Hosn Palace (White Fort) The Domain of Kings

The Hosn palace in Abu Dhabi has gloriously stood through the ages as the royal residence in the Emirates. It has always been known as the White Fort and it features unique architecture, displaying the typical geometric designs of ancient Arabia.

The Hosn Palace is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi. It goes back 200 years and was built by the Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the year 1793. The palace can be segregated into main components. The first one is the Old Fort which shows ample evidence of the original structure of the palace. The second component is the new section; this was added by Sheikh Shakboot and was used till 1966, by the late Shekh Zayed as well.  The exterior of the palace is sparkling white and depicts the typical Arabian architecture where cylinders and squares merge to form buildings. The interior however, is far more modern thanks to the drastic renovations that have taken place.

Today, the White Palace attracts hundreds of tourists. It is a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s history and is a place that takes one back in time. A part of the site is in use by the cultural foundation as a centre for research and documentation. These hold a treasure-trove of information on the history and heritage of the nation. The Museum of Traditional Artefacts located in another part of the site, is also a “must not miss” attraction worth visiting here.

The late Sheikh Zayed was particularly concerned about the upkeep of the property as it held within its walls, deep rooted historic treasure. In 1980 he ensured that the entire palace was completely taken over for maintenance and thanks to those efforts, today it stands tall with much of its original glory restored.

Those planning to truly experience Abu Dhabi can stay at Grand Millennium Al Wahda. This Abu Dhabi hotel has all the luxurious amenities typical of the Emirates and lets you enjoy the very best in contemporary comforts and conveniences. It also features fantastic and hospitable service, making it one exquisite hotel Abu Dhabi UAE proudly boasts as its own.