Abu Dhabi plans national museum

Al Hosn Palace, the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, is to be converted into a national museum.

"The national museum, to be built on the orders of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will be modelled after the Louvre Museum," said Mohammad Saeed Al Muhairi, director of the municipality.

The palace, known as the Old Fort or the White Fort, was constructed in 1793 as the official residence of Abu Dhabi rulers. It underwent renovations in 1983.

The fort is now part of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and houses the National Centre for Documentation and Research.

A committee including members of municipality, tourism authority, the Centre of Documentation and Research and the Natural History Group completed the study to convert the fort.