Al Mahatta Fort, National museum in the Old Town of Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates.
Al Mahatta Fort is a restored 18th-century building in the Old Town of Umm Al Quwain, constructed from coral stone and gypsum using traditional methods of Arabian coastal architecture. The structure contains multiple interconnected rooms that once served as a residence and administrative center, now housing various exhibits about the emirate's history.
The fort was founded in 1768 by Sheikh Rashid Bin Majid Al Mualla and initially served as the ruling family's residence until 1969, when it was converted into a police station. This shift from private dwelling to public service reflected the emirate's modernization during the second half of the twentieth century.
The fort's name refers to its former role as a harbor administration headquarters, and visitors can see how traditional coral stone and gypsum architecture reflects coastal life. The rooms show how the emirate's ruling family and staff lived and worked, offering glimpses into daily life in a prosperous trading town.
The museum is located on Al Lubna Road in the Old Town and is best reached on foot, with proximity to other historical sites making a visit straightforward. Access is straightforward, with enough room for visitors to move through the spaces, though the old stairs and narrow passages require some care.
The collection displays the first passports, trading licenses, and driving licenses issued in the emirate, along with Quran manuscripts from the seventeenth century, rare evidence of early state administration. These documents reveal how rapid modernization was in the emirate, showing how local authorities replaced traditional methods with formal systems in less than two centuries.
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