Zayed National Museum Set to Open in December in Abu Dhabi

Designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, the museum’s striking architecture features five steel towers shaped like falcon wings – symbolising Sheikh Zayed’s vision and strength. Inside, visitors will journey through six permanent galleries and a temporary exhibition space, showcasing over 300,000 years of regional history, from the Palaeolithic era to the modern day.

The museum’s curated collection includes rare artefacts discovered across the UAE, such as the Abu Dhabi Pearl, ancient falaj irrigation systems, and Bronze Age copper tools. Among its most celebrated exhibits are the Blue Qur’an and a reconstructed Magan Boat – part of a research collaboration with Zayed University and NYU Abu Dhabi.

Positioned alongside world-class institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the museum is poised to become a centre for cultural exchange and historical discovery. According to Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the museum serves as ‘a beacon of our identity’ and a testament to Sheikh Zayed’s vision for future generations.

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