Zayed National Museum is scheduled to open to the public in December 2025 within the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi. This landmark institution pays tribute to the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates. It honors the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his dedication to education, identity, and belonging.
Through immersive exhibitions, active research, and community programming, the museum builds on Sheikh Zayed’s vision, embodying the values he championed, including humanitarianism and the preservation of Emirati culture and heritage, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore six permanent galleries spread across two floors, covering 300,000 years of human history, along with a temporary exhibition gallery. The museum’s collection features artefacts sourced from throughout the UAE, including donations related to the nation’s heritage, as well as domestic and international loans.
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Preserving identity and heritage
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stated: “The cultural legacy of the UAE has been nurtured over decades, from the establishment of its earliest cultural institutions to today’s expansive vision for cultural exchange and knowledge. Saadiyat Cultural District represents the next chapter in this national journey, curating world-class institutions that honour the past and engage the future.
As the national museum of the UAE, Zayed National Museum is the legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is a tribute to his boundless belief in people, in their ability to learn, to uphold the values of unity, compassion, and national pride. This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory, and vision. This institution will carry our story forward for generations to come.”
Sheikh Zayed firmly believed that understanding the past was crucial for shaping the nation for the benefit of future generations. His passion for exploring the UAE’s ancient heritage and celebrating the diverse influences that shaped Emirati culture led to the establishment of the country’s first museum in Al Ain in 1971, followed by the opening of the Cultural Foundation in 1981. In addition, the museum’s collection includes Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Age artefacts, many of which were uncovered by archaeological teams over half a century ago. These discoveries, ranging from the world’s oldest falaj irrigation system to traces of Bronze Age copper mining, serve as lasting evidence of the ingenuity and resilience of the UAE’s earliest communities and reflect Sheikh Zayed’s commitment to illuminating the nation’s ancient history.
Unique artefacts
Highlights of the museum will include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, which sheds new light on the history of pearling in the Arabian Gulf; the Blue Qur’an, one of Islamic art’s finest manuscripts; and a recreation of an ancient Magan Boat, resulting from the museum’s first research partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum’s design embodies the heritage of the UAE while prioritizing sustainable practices. Moreover, five steel structures rise above the museum, inspired by the wing of a falcon in flight, reflecting falconry, an integral part of Emirati culture.
The museum will further provide an inclusive and accessible experience that connects people across generations and geographies. Through its galleries, learning programmes, and pioneering research, it will engage global perspectives in dialogue with the UAE’s heritage and contemporary identity. From inspiring young people to engaging People of Determination and senior citizens, Zayed National Museum will serve as a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and shared understanding.
Additionally, as part of Saadiyat Cultural District’s mission to foster diverse dialogue and promote cultural equity, Zayed National Museum will present collections and narratives that celebrate the region’s rich heritage, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s role as a crossroads of civilisations. It will stand alongside several globally renowned cultural institutions within the district, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global meeting place for culture, ideas, and innovation.
