Zayed National Museum: A Monument to Heritage and Vision Opens in December 2025
Set to open its doors in December 2025, the long-awaited Zayed National Museum will become the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global cultural capital. Situated in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum stands as both a tribute to the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and a beacon of education, heritage, and national pride.
Honouring a Legacy
At its core, Zayed National Museum is a celebration of Sheikh Zayed’s enduring vision—a belief in the power of knowledge, compassion, unity, and cultural identity. Designed to welcome all citizens, residents, and international visitors alike, the museum offers a place to reflect on the past while engaging with the present and future.
“Sheikh Zayed understood that to move forward, one must know where they come from,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. “This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory and vision.”
An Architectural Landmark by Foster + Partners
The striking architectural form of the Zayed National Museum is the work of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners. Five soaring steel structures—evoking the wings of a falcon in flight—define the museum’s profile, paying homage to falconry, an integral aspect of Emirati culture.
Beyond aesthetics, the museum sets a benchmark in sustainable design, incorporating energy-efficient strategies and materials that align with the UAE’s environmental goals. It is an architectural statement rooted in heritage, yet future-facing in its ambition.
Inside the Museum: History, Identity, and Dialogue
The museum’s layout encompasses six permanent galleries and one temporary exhibition space, spanning two expansive floors. Its narrative begins 300,000 years ago and unfolds through carefully curated artefacts, archaeological discoveries, and interactive exhibitions.
Key highlights include:
The Abu Dhabi Pearl, believed to be one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, offers insight into the region’s historic pearling industry.
The Blue Qur’an, an exquisite manuscript considered among the greatest works of Islamic art.
A reconstructed Magan Boat, resulting from collaborative research with Zayed University and NYU Abu Dhabi, brings ancient maritime history to life.
The museum’s collection encompasses Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age artefacts, many of which were uncovered during Sheikh Zayed’s early archaeological initiatives. These discoveries, such as the world’s oldest known falaj irrigation system and evidence of Bronze Age copper mining, form a powerful testament to the innovation and resilience of the region’s earliest inhabitants.
Site progress update. All images courtesy of Zayed National Museum
A Museum for All
The Zayed National Museum is designed to be inclusive, offering accessible experiences for all ages and abilities, from schoolchildren and scholars to People of Determination and senior citizens. It aims to foster intergenerational learning and international collaboration through research, education, and cultural programming.
With its focus on humanitarian values, cultural diversity, and knowledge exchange, the museum aligns with Sheikh Zayed’s deep-rooted belief in unity and mutual understanding.
A Cultural Hub in the Heart of the UAE
As part of Saadiyat Cultural District—home to some of the world’s most ambitious cultural projects—the museum joins a constellation of leading institutions, including:
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (opening soon)
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
Together, these institutions position Abu Dhabi as a crossroads of civilisations, a place where art, science, design, and history come together to inspire and connect global audiences.
Looking Ahead
The opening of Zayed National Museum marks a pivotal moment in the UAE’s cultural evolution. It not only honours the nation’s past but also shapes its cultural future, a place where stories are told, histories are uncovered, and legacies are celebrated.
As the UAE continues to define its place on the global stage, this landmark museum offers something timeless and universal: a reminder that understanding our origins is key to envisioning our future.
