This attraction is more like a dream come true for those who always wondered what a palace might look like on the inside. If you are one of those then you can realize your dream in this attraction. This is a brand-new attraction and cultural landmark which is built inside the majestic presidential palace in Abu Dhabi.
Qasr Al Watan is Arabic for ‘Palace of the Nation’ and is a working palace that hosts official state visits and summits. This is a perfect opportunity for the visitors and the guests to marvel at the beautiful and magnificent Arabian architecture, you also get the chance to get a better understanding of UAE’S traditions. You can also explore a vast collection of historic artifacts and manuscripts. The Palace that took about 150 million man-hours to be completed, is white in color which was picked to symbolize purity and peace.
After stepping into the palace, you will find yourself in the Great Hall. The dome located above is one of the largest domes in the world with measuring 37 meters in diameter. The hall has four mirrored cubes located at each corner and each of them has its own specific design element. The calligraphy is poetry written by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. There’s even a replica here of one of the earliest surviving records of the Holy Quran that was presented by Prince Charles of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. From here you can head towards the west side of Great Hall, here you can marvel at vast and magnificent exhibition room which contains the collection of diplomatic gifts the UAE has received from foreign dignitaries during state visits.
Step into the Spirit of Collaboration room where meetings of the Federal Supreme Council and summits are held. The room boasts a magnificent chandelier that consists of 350,000 crystals and is so large that it had to be assembled in the room itself. Head to the Presidential Banquet room where banquets are reserved for official occasions. On display. Here you will find a huge collection of 149,000 unique silver pieces and crystals that were made specifically for the palace. If you are more like a library person then you can also visit the palace library, it has 50,000 books that can help visitors explore and learn about the UAE’s political, social and cultural history and the nation’s progressive journey.
Just before leaving, don’t forget to visit the gift shop where you can pick up a gift or a souvenir to take back home with you. You will find a variety of coffee table books, Arabian jewelry, candles, clothing items and more on sale. If you’re hungry and want a quick meal, there is a small cafe next to the gift shop that has items such as salads, sandwiches, and pastries. Right next to it is also a restaurant if you want a bigger and more substantial meal.
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