Qasr-Al-Muwaiji Fort at Al Ain

Qasr Al Muwaiji was built between 1855-1909 by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Khalifa. Later it became the home and administrative base for the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan when in 1946 he became the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region. His eldest son, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was born at Qasr Al Muwaiji.

The building is simple but has a striking form: a square enclosure with projecting corner towers, three in number, and a grand entrance gate. It was used as a diwan (a council or seat of governance) and as a place for the community to congregate.

Between 2009 -2010, the old structure was restored by the collaborative effort of ZRS and Sankalan’s team to strengthen the boundary walls and the towers.

A group of 45 artisans, along with two supervisors from Sankalan, undertook a range of activities including skillful dismantling to create new spaces, recycling of dismantled materials, adobe making and masonry, and the meticulous application of mud plaster on walls, prepare mud roof and floors.

A new structure was inserted in the fort compound, which is a museum dedicated to the exhibit of life and stories of the ruling family.