Housing history

Old houses in Sharjah are being converted into tourist attractions... places which bear testimony to the lifestyle of the people in the past

Just like a picture speaks a thousand words, a house tells us about the people that made it their home. A house bears testimony to the lifestyle of the people, it reveals their traditions, their habits and hobbies.

Under the instructions of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Ministry of Information and Culture has taken steps to renovate old houses and turn them into tourist attractions: Pieces of history to tell the tale of a bygone age.

One of these historic and traditional buildings in Sharjah is Bait-Al-Naboodah (Al-Naboodah House). It is currently known as Sharjah Heritage Museum, and it reflects Arabic Islamic architecture with emphasis on the Gulf.

The house was built in about 1845 by the late Obaid bin Eesa Al Shamsi, who was known as Al Naboodah as a child. He was one of the biggest pearl traders during his time. He had two overseas offices, one in Paris and the other in India, and had business relations with Africa as well.

The house is located in Al-Gharb, a prominent district of Sharjah city, in "Fireij Al Souk" avenue along with other old and historic houses. It is a two-storey building with 16 rooms. There are 13 rooms on the ground floor, and three upstairs. It also has parlours where Al Naboodah would meet divers and traders. There are berajils (ventilation-structures) on the terrace.