By: Sreejith Kamalanayanan
Qasr Al Watan is the latest cultural attraction in the UAE. Housed inside the UAE Presidential palace compund, Qasr Al Watan offers a peek into the Kingdom’s legacy and tradition.
The cultural landmark has now been opened to visitors. Qasr Al Watan has been opened to the public in a ceremony led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
UAE’s latest tourist attraction is likely to offer a good time for the visitors. The tour of the palace begins at The Great Hall, which is considered as the heart of the building. The west wing of the Palace offers the visitors a chance to know about the formation of the UAE and its system of governance. They will get to visit halls usually reserved for official state guests such as the Spirit of Collaboration, a chamber where Federal Supreme Council and UAE Cabinet meetings as well as official summits are conducted.
The officials for the first time has put on public display a collection of diplomatic gifts presented by visiting Heads of State and foreign dignitaries. Visitors can have a look at these diplomatic gifts during their tour.
At Qasr Al Watan Library, visitors will have access to a huge collection of more than 50,000 books and resources that gives information about the UAE and its evolution as a nation.
At the end of their tour visitors will reach at the ‘Palace in Motion’. It is a light and sound show projected onto the facade of the building. The show is a story narrated in three acts. It links the aspirations of Qasr Al Watan and the vision of the nation, giving a glimpse of the UAE’s journey of the past, present and future.
Public can visit Qasr Al Watan seven days a week from 10:00 AM to 8:00 pm. They can buy the tickets at the visitor center from 9:30 AM until 7:00 PM. Tickets can also be bought online via the official Qasr Al Watan website – www.QasrAlWatan.ae
