The inauguration of the Jahili Fort and its cultural heritage projects

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage had finished a rehabilitation and development program that aimed to preserve the structure of the building's historical and cultural values and make it an attractive and a special tourist destination.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, said that the Jahili Fort dates back to 1898 and is one of the most important historical monuments in the city of Al Ain, as well as being the largest castle there. There will be, as part of the huge project for Al Ain residents and visitors, a new information centre for tourists, lounge for presenting artistic and cultural events, a permanent exhibition on the traveller (Mubarak bin London - Wilfred Thesiger), and the presentation of an audio - visual review of the history and development of Al Ain.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon noted that the Jahili Fort development project comes within the framework of a number of important cultural projects launched by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, implemented in the city of Al Ain. He emphasized that the shift that will be witnessed by the cultural movement in Al Ain includes the establishment and launch of several distinct cultural heritage projects. He pointed out that the role of the community will be an active and influential in the cultural landscape of the city, where the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage is working to host cultural activities and to provide various forms of logistical support.

Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage said the Authority seeks to exploit the archaeological sites in Al Ain City and revive them to attract visitors and tourists within the framework of the implementation of the strategy to preserve the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi. That is sought through the organization of artistic and cultural activities that seeks to revive and develop cultural tourism, in particular through the rehabilitation of the Jahili Fort, in parallel with the registration of all archaeological evidence of the castle in order to understand and document its history and preserve it.

Dr. Sami Al Masri, Director of Strategic Planning at the Authority, said that the rehabilitation of Jahili Fort is completed after carefully using a combination of traditional materials and modern techniques. The result of this combination is a building that is distinct by a historic cohesion with its surrounding, especially with the Jahili Park nearby. The Jahili Fort will become the new cultural destination in the city of Al Ain where visitors will find what they are looking for.