The official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai (1912-1958) and grandfather of the present Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, has been restored to stand proud again on the Shindagha end of Dubai Creek. The house, which dates from 1896, today houses a rare collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents that record Dubai's history. Sheikh Saeed's House overlooking the mouth of the Creek at Shindagha is a listed monument that showcases the history of the development of Dubai.
Dating back to 1896, this imposing building was once the seat of local government, the nucleus for political and social organizations of the day and the official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum, the father of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, the architect of modern Dubai.
The ambitious restoration project begun in 1986 won a coveted award from the Arab Cities Organizations for the conservation of heritage buildings. Today, fully restored to its former glory, the building houses an impressive collection of photographs, paintings, lithographs and art objects that vividly portray the early development of the emirate. For those with interest in Arabian culture, history and architecture, Sheikh Saeed's House is well worth a visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment