Top 6 Things to Learn About Qasr Al Watan
Abu Dhabi is a beautiful capital city. The contemporary architecture, breathtaking landscapes that are nearly otherworldly, and the vibrant culture all call out to the world traveler. And one of its most iconic landmarks is Qasr Al Watan.
A Quick Peek Into the Palace of the Nation
Qasr Al Watan, or Palace of the Nation, stands within the grounds of the UAE’s Presidential Palace compound. The magnificent structure occupies over 380,000 square meters, which is 4.9 times the size of the UK’s Buckingham Palace (77,000 square meters), so there is plenty to explore here. But its expansive space is not the only reason for its popularity among tourists and locals.
Here are six things to learn about this gem in the capital city.
1. Mughal-era Inspired
The Palace’s decorative elements took inspiration from the Mughal Empire, which propelled the golden age of artistry and craftsmanship.
Visitors to the Palace of the Nation marvel at the intricacy of the geometric patterns and the calligraphy that adorn the white marble. The doors are made from solid maple wood with hand-carved designs in 23-carat gold. The intricate patterns for each door took up to 350-man hours to complete.
Combining traditional Arabian design with modern sensibilities, the Qasr Al Watan features over 1 million square meters of elaborate stonework and 22,000 cubic meters of decorative elements. The entire structure took 150 million hours of work to build.
Amid the staggering details, variety of patterns, and striking features, there is a recurring motif throughout Qasr Al Watan: the eight-pointed star. The star is used in Arabic calligraphy to mark a chapter’s end, and it is an important symbol in Islam.
The architecture is as impressive as it is meaningful to the UAE’s cultural heritage.
2. Beyond Diplomatic and Government Activities
The government’s intention behind Qasr Al Watan was to welcome visiting foreign dignitaries and to host meetings of the Federal Supreme Council and the UAE cabinet.
But in 2019, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, decided to open the doors of Qasr Al Watan to the public. The decision aligns with the UAE’s goal of becoming a knowledge-based economy.
In time, the cultural landmark and beacon of diplomacy has turned into one of the most visited sights in Abu Dhabi.
3. Coming to Life
As a cultural landmark, Qasr Al Watan stands out through one of its more family-friendly attractions: Palace in Motion.
The immersive light and sound show depicts the nation’s story through its past, present, and future, bringing Qasr Al Watan’s architecture to life. The riveting show unfolds in front of the main palace, taking place every 30 minutes after sundown.
The Palace in Motion show takes place nightly at 8 p.m.
4. The Interior Design Team Decorated 2,300 Rooms
An immense project like Qasr Al Watan requires a lot of talented people working together. Its construction and development were a collaboration among several firms. Some were focused on certain areas of the palace, like Xavier Cartron, who was awarded the commission for the monumental project after impressing the jury in a contest.
French interior designer Xavier Cartron focused on the design and construction supervision of more than 80,000 square meters of VIP and official areas within the Palace Complex. Among the zones Cartron and his design team worked on were the main reception building, supreme council, presidential library, and the presidential wing. They decorated 2,300 rooms.
5. A Place for Contemplation
However grand Qasr Al Watan is, this impressive symbol of Emirati culture still has a place for quiet contemplation. A walk through its gardens and courtyards brings more than the serenity you feel when surrounded by lush greenery.
In the gardens, you’ll find the Power of Words sculptures, each one showcasing a different set of words from the UAE’s founding fathers. One quote reads: “The education of our people is a great wealth. We are proud of our educated nation because through knowledge and science, we will open the horizon to a glorious future.”
The intricate garden design is, as it is indoors, inspired by Islamic geometric patterns.
6. The World’s Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction
Finally, with such remarkable architecture and astonishing features, it is only fitting that Qasr Al Watan has clinched the World’s Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction in 2024 from the World Travel Awards.
Other nominees for the award were: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain; Vatican Museum and Murano, Burano and Torcello, Venice in Italy; Sagrada Família in Spain; Sun World Fansipan Legend and Tam Chuc Complex in Vietnam.
Qasr Al Watan has also been hailed as the Middle East’s Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction in 2024. Other nominees for this award were: Dubai Opera; Katara Cultural Village and The Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar; Louvre Abu Dhabi; Maraya in AlUla; Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
