Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House
Built in 1896, the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House is strategically located at the Al Shindagha area in Dubai, particularly standing amidst Deira and Bur Dubai and overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Basically, it was the residential house of the Al Maktoum ruling family until 1958.
It was the place of birth of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s sons and grandsons, and today, it has become a touristic icon that receives huge numbers of visitors all year round.
This Dubai attraction will give you the opportunity to learn about the residence of the city’s monarch during the first half of the 20th century, exploring its vastness, diversity of its spaces and wings, and the variety in its air towers, locally known as Barajeel.
Currently, it is used as a museum to display exhibits depicting Dubai’s history with varied and rare collections of historic photographs of the sheikhs and the lifestyle in the city that has drastically changed over the years.
There are also a collection of historic and official documents concerning the emirate, as well as authentic coins, jewelry, stamps and other items dating back to the historic era. All of these will allow you to know the many façades and details of the traditional life and society of the city.
Your visit to this place will also introduce to the nature of the strong and close relationships between Al Maktoum’s ruling family and the citizens of Dubai, showing no barriers between the rulers and the people. It will also let you discover the many values and architectural designs of this exemplary house that originates from the local heritage, where you can see different general and specific elements that are distributed all over the house that stress interest in the value of uniqueness.
Like any other house in the Al Shindagha area, the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House is directed towards the south west, which is known as the direction of the qibla in Mecca (or the direction Muslims should face when praying), pointing out towards the firmness of the religious beliefs and values in the local community.
As you continue your tour, you will also see that the kitchens are positioned at the southern part of the house, always producing steam and aromas of food that is prepared to feed the guests who flow to the house endlessly.
This location strategy is done to make use of the breeze coming from the gulf to the depth of the land during day time to get rid of the aromas and purify the air inside the house. By the time you will complete your visit to this interesting place, you will unravel a host of cultural values and ideas that will increase your interest and appreciation of the local heritage of the city, which has a unique philosophy and outlook to life beneath its austerity and simplicity.
To make the most out of your visit to this house, plan your Dubai holiday itinerary with the information that we provide here at La Vacanza Travel!