History and Heritage at Doha’s Ethnographic Museum

Doha is a Middle Eastern giant on the rise and all the monumental structures that dominate its landscape is clear evidence to the fact. Never short of resorts, newly-built sky scrapers and designated green zones, it is easy to see why the populace of this multicultural city is optimistic about its growing status as a global city.

Home to a great number of attractions such as Al-Rumaila Park and breathtaking Corniche Bay, this idyllic locale also boasts several seafront points of interest such as picturesque Al Bida Park. As a city that is preoccupied with both its past and present, Doha is not bereft of cultural and historic landmarks that hark back to its glorious heydays. One such venue is the Qatar National Museum which is an icon of Islamic architecture while the other is the city’s Ethnographic Museum. Also known as the Wind Tower House, this captivating structure is a one of a kind building that warrants the world’s attention. Originally constructed in 1935, the museum documents the history and the lifestyle of the country’s inhabitants in decades past. Attracting thousands of tourists annually the Ethnographic museum and its famed facade serves as the only remaining example of a 20th century Qatari residence in the city. Its features hark back to an era before Qatar’s newly acquired oil wealth and a period in which air conditioning and modern conveniences were not yet enjoyed by its general populace.

Built in the Gulf architectural tradition, the museum has been designed to keep itself well ventilated and cool during the harsh summer months by creating a constant airflow via the interior rooms of the building. Also renowned as the last standing wind tower in the country, this museum located within the Najada Shopping Plaza used chimneys to pull fresh and cool air in to the structure from the sea breeze filled atmosphere outside. This primitive form of air conditioning employs the wind tower principle while the ventilation method also ensures that light also flows inward to illuminate the structure at a time when electricity was not yet available.

The Millennium Hotel Doha is advantageously located rest within close proximity to some of the city’s most popular attractions. Just a short walk from the Centre Point Shopping Mall and less than 3km from the Al Saad Sports Club this Doha hotel also offers easy access to the zoo, National Museum and the National Theatre.