You may never end up being the president or ruler of a nation. But should that stop you from experiencing the grandeur & opulence of a presidential palace – replete with luxuries reserved for global heads of states?
Of course not.
And that’s why you need to visit the Qasr Al Watan – a functioning presidential palace in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi – the capital of the United Arab of Emirates, a tourist hotspot that is bustling 24 x 7 x 365.
Want to have a look at something as exquisite as the Birmingham Quran? Or, close to 150,000 pieces of gold, silver, and crystal? Or would you rather check out the first modern map of the gulf region?
Stuff out of dreams? Well – not at all. All these – and much more – are lying in wait for you at Qasr Al Watan.
The entire emirate is a storehouse of a rich cultural legacy & heritage. And the majestic cultural landmark of Qasr Al Watan is the perfect place to explore all this. It’s not just a palace – but it’s a representation of the nation’s cultural understanding & its incredible history.
The design of the palace is an ode to the millennia-old globally-celebrated Arabian architecture. Every brick of the structure represents exquisiteness & grandeur. There are a range of attractions here for the entire family to spend some worthwhile hours. Let’s take you through the top 5 reasons to visit Qasr Al Watan.
The Spectacular Architecture
Get to witness the highest levels of architectural splendor & magnificent craftsmanship at the imposing Qasr Al Watan. Providing a perfect aesthetic feel to the UAE’s age-old glorious architecture, the palace is adorned by more than 5000 exquisite patterns. And the sturdy maple doors are beautified by majestic designs inspired by French styles, in 23-carat gold. The Qasr al watan tickets allow exploring other several interesting things that has been elaborated below.
The massive dome of the Central Hall – 100m x 100m – is among the largest of its kind in the world and also the crowning glory of the entire structure. With a diameter of over a 100 feet and standing tall at over 7 stories, the dome is resplendent in the most intricate artistic designs.
The Federal Supreme Council Meeting venue – the Spirit of Collaboration room – is adorned with a three-layered, 12 tonne chandelier, made up of more than 350,000 shining crystals. There is also a multimedia show here, encompassing the nation’s history.
The Ornate Presidential Gifts
We all see on television, global leaders getting gifts from their counterparts during their visits abroad – and vice versa. But do we know what the leaders get – and give – as gifts?
Here is a chance to know what the rulers of UAE have received as gifts from global heads of states, right here at the Qasr Al Watan.
Exquisite vases; magnificent carpets; Samurai weapons; falcon masks; and seemingly uncountable coins, emblems, and medals make up this eye-popping gallery. Opened to the public for the first time, this gallery is a window to the art of diplomatic gift giving & receiving, as well as to the cultures of the nations whose leaders have given these gifts.
The Richly Adorned Library
The massive library here – as much a storehouse of knowledge as an architectural marvel – is stuffed from floor to ceilings with shelves stocking over 50,000 books. The Presidential palace Abu Dhabi tickets allow to explore these books which are a treasure trove of the vast repertory of the region’s culture, history, arts, science, and literature. And almost 16 million digital collections are also available here – ready for being accessed from anywhere within the emirate of Abu Dhabi. And the Makha Al Maktaba café here would do its bit to satiate your taste buds.
The Royal Banquets
Feel like a global dignitary as you step into the spectacular presidential banquet hall here. Be it the exquisite table arrangements to the magnificent – and immaculately placed – cutlery and crockery, the mind-boggling display here would leave you wide-eyed, for sure. You would also get to learn much about the customs & protocols that go into hosting such banquets with leaders from across the globe.
Travel into the Past
Heard of the Birmingham Quran? No? Well, it’s a replica of the oldest surviving Holy Quran. And this replica is for all to see at the House of Knowledge at the Qasr Al Watan. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, received this priceless gift from the then Prince Charles of the United Kingdom, in 2016.
This, and many more extremely rare manuscripts & artifacts are on display here, guaranteed to excite the history & literature buffs to no end. Arabia’s first modern map that is more than 450 years old, the Atlas Manuscript on Astronomy, and an ancient encyclopedia – Historia Naturalis – consisting over 20,000 facts, are some of the jewels that you get to see here.