Qasr Al Hosn

During his reign – between 1793 to 1816 – Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Dhiyab ordered the construction of more towers, which were linked to create an imposing defensive enclosure that commanded nearby shipping routes. It was during this time that the fort was used as his seat of government, military headquarters, as well as his family home.

In 1855, Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa, also known as Zayed the Great, united the tribes of the region, determined to establish economic prosperity and to strengthen diplomatic relations abroad.

With Qasr Al Hosn at the heart of the community, Abu Dhabi saw immense growth. Fishing remained a valuable industry for the city and by the late 1800s, the city commanded over 400 pearling boats – the largest number in the Gulf.

It was in 1939 that Qasr Al Hosn once again became the site of momentous economic change after Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan Al Nahyan negotiated the country’s first oil concessions with Great Britain.

Using a portion of the funds, he then built an iconic palace that enclosed the founding walls of the fort; tripling the size of the site. This palace instantly became a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s rising economy and growing prosperity.

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