Abu Dhabi’s Al Maqta’a Museum reopens after major restoration

Abu Dhabi: One of the UAE capital’s most iconic landmarks is welcoming visitors once again.

After an extensive restoration led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Police, Al Maqta’a Museum has officially reopened to the public. Housed within the historic Al Maqta’a Fort, the museum offers a powerful journey through the city’s evolution—from tribal settlement to modern metropolis.

Situated near the 18th-century Al Maqta’a Watchtower, the fort once guarded the only crossing to Abu Dhabi Island. Today, it stands as a bridge between generations, preserving the memory of a time when this narrow passage was a critical lifeline for travelers and traders.

A landmark restored

The reopening marks a milestone in DCT Abu Dhabi’s ongoing mission to protect and promote the emirate’s rich cultural heritage. The museum’s transformation reflects a deep commitment to conserving Abu Dhabi’s historic identity while introducing new generations to its foundational stories.

As part of the restoration, DCT Abu Dhabi carefully preserved original architectural features of the fort and adjoining Customs Department buildings, enhancing them with curated exhibits that include:

Visitors can also learn about the building’s many lives—as a customs checkpoint, police station, and later a heritage museum inaugurated in 2002.

A Fortress of Firsts

Al Maqta’a Fort’s story begins in the 18th century, when Sheikh Shakhbout bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan oversaw the construction of Al Maqta’a Watchtower to guard the passage between the island and mainland. Until the 1950s, this crossing was the only route into Abu Dhabi Island—a journey made by boat or wading through shallow waters.

With the construction of Al Maqta’a Bridge in the late 1950s, the tower’s role as a sentinel continued, joined by a police station that monitored traffic. This era marked the fort’s transformation into a customs facility, ensuring the safe movement of goods and people until the UAE’s unification in 1971.

Echoes of the Past

For many Emiratis, the site evokes strong memories—of early state-building efforts, uniformed officers on patrol, and a simpler yet pivotal time in the country’s history. Now restored and reopened, Al Maqta’a Museum is more than a monument; it’s a storyteller.