Inside The Fort
The old fort is the earliest building on the island of Abu Dhabi. Its different building patterns are according to Islamic architectural style.
The original mid-18th century watchtower was built to protect the island and nearby water sources. A series of holes at the top of the tower were built to protect it. The flag of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi flew at the top of this tower to demonstrate its significance as the genesis of Qasr al Hosn.
The walls were made of coral and sea stones that were taken from a reef and cut into cubes. The cut coral was left in the sun for a week to harden into bricks. After they were placed, they were covered with a lime-based substance called sea mortar (juss bahari), which was made by burning coral stones, sea shells and sea stones, and then crushing the result and mixing with water to form a paste. The pegs on the outside walls of the rooms were used for hanging lamps, and garments.
To construct a raised floor, builders placed the trunk of a ghaff tree across the gap as a central span and intersected it with mangrove poles that had been soaked in a mixture of crushed dates and fish to protect them from pests. They then wove palm fronds to form mattings known as Areesh and Hasim. Mangrove poles were also used as scaffolding to build the towers and remain set inside the brickwork to this day.
The entrances were far more decorative than the surrounding walls. They were made from a smoother material and adorned with beautifully painted tiles. When the palace was built, men entered through the north entrance, while women entered through the south passage.
The windows were designed to allow the barjeel ventilation system to work. The breeze would be directed by an archway above the window into the rooms to provide a cool draft. The windows were placed at floor level meaning they allowed very little direct light into the room. The windows also have iron grills outside and shutters inside for privacy. There were matching windows opposite in the corridor with grills and shutters. Opening both in the summer helped to create a draught cooling the rooms.
The former kitchen block was a framed structure where tandors were formed within the ground to cook.
This area was used by the late Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan to hold negotiations over Abu Dhabi’s oil concessions, as well as meetings to discuss other important Emirate-related issues.
The father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, used this administrative building to host meetings and negotiations over the union of the UAE, and other important Emirate-related issues.
This tower was used for a call to prayer before minarets were built in Abu Dhabi.
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