Qasr Al Hosn

Qasr Al Hosn comprises two iconic structures: the Inner Fort, originally constructed in 1795, and the Outer Palace built between 1939 and 1945, representing Abu Dhabi's oldest existing buildings. The fortress was built to oversee coastal trade routes and protect the emerging settlement on the island, later serving as the residence of the Al Nahyan ruling family, government headquarters, and venue for the National Consultative Council established by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The architecture features distinctive traditional elements including the famous Barjeel ventilation system, an ancient air-conditioning method with deep wall holes that channel sea breezes through narrow airways into interior rooms. Following extensive conservation and restoration work spanning over eleven years, it was transformed into a museum in 2018 and now stands as a national monument narrating the development of Abu Dhabi.