Near the Dubai Creek lies the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, the former home of Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum, the grandfather of the current ruler of Dubai. The former leader of Dubai had this palace built in 1896 and until 1958 this house was inhabited by the ruling Al Maktoum family.
The picturesque palace is a classic example of indigenous Arabic culture and is worth a visit for that reason. The building has beautiful teak windows, doors and decorated window frames and has more than 30 rooms and 20 verandas, all built around three courtyards. From some of these verandas you have a beautiful view of the Dubai Creek, the city’s main waterway. You also have a beautiful view of the Dubai skyline and the Dubai Creek from the top floor of the building. A special feature of the building are the four wind towers, these square towers rise about five to eight meters above the roof of the palace and serve as a kind of air conditioning. Not an unnecessary luxury, especially in the hot summers.
Museum of historical photography
After the house was abandoned by the ruling Al Maktoum family, the building fell into disrepair, but that changed in 1986 when the entire palace was restored. Today the Museum of Historical Photographs and Documents of the Emirate of Dubai is housed in the 3,600 square meter palace. The Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, together with the nearby Al Fahidi Fort, is one of the oldest buildings in Dubai and has been designated to a national historic monument, which means that the state is obliged to properly maintain the building.
Beside to historical photos, documents, old furniture, the museum also contains old coins and stamps, which provide a good picture of the history and culture of Dubai before the oil era. The Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is divided into nine different sections: The Al Maktoum family, old Dubai, naval life, social life in Dubai, views of Dubai, coins and stamps, historical documents and a section with historical and contemporary maps from Dubai.
Where is the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House located in Dubai?
The Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is located on the shores of the Dubai Creek, in the historic district of Al Shindagha in Dubai. The museum is free to visit and is open from Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM and on Friday from 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM. A visit to the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House can easily be combined with the adjacent Heritage and Diving Village.
