Located in the nearby oasis city of Al Ain this important site is one of the oldest and largest forts in the UAE. It has been restored and today is a cultural venue and houses a permanent exhibition on the explorer, writer and photographer Wilfred Thesiger who crossed the Empty Quarter (Rub’al Khali Desert) two times in the 1940s.
The fort was originally commissioned by Sheikh Zayed in 1890 and served as the home of the ruling Al Nahyan family. The well preserved fort is surrounded by lush parklands. The square-shaped fort measures 115 feet long and is 26 feet tall. The structure has triangular balconies at the top of the walls; a rectangular watchtower and three round towers. At the site there is a gift store, café, Visitor Center and cultural activities.