Commoners can now get a glipse inside the exclusive Presidential Palace compound in Abu Dhabi. Qasr Al Watan, which is known as Palace of the Nation, has opened its doors to the public for the first time ever on March 11.
Historically, the public haven’t been allowed inside the grounds, but the palace is no longer closed off. It contains interactive exhibitions, a library containing books and resources about the UAE and the House of Knowledge, which highlights the contributions made Arabs to various fields of study.
The Presidential Palace was completed in 2015, and the design features include large white domes, gold furnishings, marble decorations and gardens.
According to Time Out Abu Dhabi, it houses the offices of the President, Vice President and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and the palace has hosted various global leaders and important figures, including the Pope on his recent visit.
On the historic opening, Sheikh Mohammed tweeted: “Mohammed bin Zayed and I inaugurated Qasr Al Watan -Palace of the Nation- in the Presidential Palace compound in Abu Dhabi. The new cultural landmark reflects our heritage and identity, opening its doors to our people, residents and visitors starting tomorrow”.
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 10, 2019
.@HHShkMohd: @MohamedBinZayed and I inaugurated Qasr Al Watan -Palace of the Nation- in the Presidential Palace compound in Abu Dhabi. The new cultural landmark reflects our heritage and identity, opening its doors to our people, residents and visitors starting tomorrow pic.twitter.com/T8qYd8F41J
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 10, 2019
The public tours will include the gardens, visitor centre, exhibition and all public spaces and it will be open every day from 10am to 8pm. Tickets for the full tour is Dhs60 for adults and Dhs30 for children, and a garden-only ticket costs Dhs25 for adults and Dhs12 for children.
For more information and to buy tickets visit www.qasralwatan.ae.
