The Zayed National Museum, located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, is dedicated to the memory of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first President of the United Arab Emirates. This institution occupies a central position in the Saadiyat Cultural District and reflects the country's historical, cultural, and economic development.
The museum opened on December 3, 2025, after a construction cost of AED 2.5 billion (approximately US$680 million). The 123-meter-tall building houses over 3,000 artifacts, of which approximately 1,500 are currently on display. Each piece tells the story of the UAE and its people.
In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions and invites visitors to stroll through Al Masar, a 600-meter-long open-air gallery where they can explore the nature and stories that shaped the Emirates.
Two boats are on display inside the museum: one is an 18-meter-long replica of a Bronze Age vessel, built using traditional methods. It was used in an archaeological experiment and was meticulously documented. The other boat is part of the museum exhibit and features a tunnel inside the hull.
The museum also features a fully restored black 1966 Chrysler Newport sedan, which Sheikh Zayed used to travel through the desert. The exhibit also includes archaeological finds from the UAE and gifts to Sheikh Zayed.
We usually send one letter a month and another one on the eve of big holidays.