Least Known Dubai Heritage Sites
Dubai is one of the seven states (called emirates) that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although it is known to have existed about 150 years prior to the establishment of the UAE. One written account, in fact, gives the impression that Dubai already existed as early as 1095.
Heritage sites understandbly line this old emirate, with Al Fahid Fort being the most famous. The fort, which was built in 1787, houses the equally famous Dubai Museum. Next in the list of the well-known Dubai heritage sites is Sheikh Saeed’s House, the official residence of the sovereign who ruled Dubai for 46 years beginning 1912, which was built in 1896.
The list of Dubai heritage sites is simply long and, because of this, some are not known to even those who frequent the rich state. Three of the least known heritage sites in Dubai, which nonetheless represent or carry some of the most important parts of Dubai’s rich culture and tradition, are the Philately House, the House of the Camels, and the House of the Horses.
Philately House:
This heritage site was originally built in 1905 from the large leaves of the palm tree, and stayed that way for the next 25 years. In 1930, it was reconstructed to a two-story building and, much later, was renovated to its present-day museum structure.
The Philately House, as its name infers, is a gallery for the exhibition of the state’s collections of historical stamps and postmarks. More importantly, the museum showcases the history of the post as well as the development of the postal services and activities, not only in Dubai but likewise in the entire UAE.
Travelers to Dubai can find the Philately House at the Al-Bastakiyah heritage area in the historic district of Bur Dubai.
House of the Camels:
Called “Beit Al-Rekkab” in Arabic, the House of the Camels is a relatively young edifice, having been built only in the 1940s. Nevertheless, it is considered a very important heritage site in the whole of the UAE in that it showcases the history of one of the Arab people’s closely-guarded prides – the camel.
Visitors to the House of the Camels will gain valuable knowledge about these amazing desert mammals – their species and the names by which they’re called in Arabic, their anatomy, and their special relationship with the Arab people.
The House of the Camels stands next to Sheikh Saeed’s House in the Al-Shindagha neighborhood.
House of the Horses:
This heritage site actually was conceived based on the very same principle that guided Dubai in building the House of the Camels; only this time, the less enduring but more agile horses are the subjects or honorees.
The House of the Horses was also built in the 1940s, and was originally used as the residence of the late Sheikha Moza bint Saeed Al-Maktoum. The building was renovated into its current museum status, in which everything about horses – from their history, bloodlines and names to their importance to the Arab people – is exhibited.
The House of the Horses can found in the same Al-Shindagha neighborhood where the House of the Camels is located.
Other Dubai heritage sites worth visiting are The Bastakiya, Hatta Heirtage Village, Burj Nahar, Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House, Bait Al Nakeel, Heritage and Diving Village, Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House, and Neif Museum.