Ajman Museum Guide: Entry Timing, Ticket & Activites
Everything Though not as famous as its co-emirates Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the Emirate of Ajman also has a fair number of attractions for tourists. UAE’s smallest emirate – with an area of just a shade over 250 sq km – Ajman contributes to the nation’s economy through activities like manufacturing, transportation, real estate, etc. Ajman has also been investing heavily in tourism development of late. And one key tourist spot here is the Ajman Museum. Below, we will take you through everything you wanted to know about Ajman Museum.
History of Ajman Museum
The inception of the museum dates back to over two centuries – 1816, to be precise. Of course, it wasn’t a museum then – but a fort, constructed of gypsum & coral stone. This fort was captured by Sheikh Al Nuaimi and his followers from the Al Bu Shamis tribe. Once the fort was captured, the Sheikh established the Nuaimi rule. And ever since then, this family has been ruling Ajman.
For a long time, the fort served as a mainstay for the ruling family. it was an important defense establishment that helped to protect the small emirate from invaders. The two watchtowers, key parts of the fort, were constructed for this very purpose. The fort also consists of a palace (that served as the living quarters) and a couple of wind towers. There are two canons placed at the museum entrance. Now defunct, these canons were meant to deter potential attackers.
For 8 years from 1970, the fort served as a police station. And finally, in 1981, the fort underwent extensive renovations and became the Ajman Museum as we know it today. So, over the last 200+ years, the fort has seen several ups & downs and contains snippets of the fascinating history of the emirate.
Things to See
The museum is a storehouse of local – and regional – historical artifacts and relics. Traditional wooden dhows, excellently preserved, ancient manuscripts, and age-old traditional irrigation systems are just some of the fascinating displays here.
Go back in time as you get to see glimpses of Emirati life before the country became the modern global hotspot. One of the most fascinating displays here is the ancient pottery that has been excavated from the neighboring Al Mowaihat area. And this clay artifacts date back to 3,000 BC. Yes, you read that right! In those days, this was the site of a thriving residential community and is also the emirate’s earliest signs of human civilization. Various bronze & clay items of decoration & daily usage are to be seen.
Before urbanization, pearl cultivation & pisciculture were the vocations for most of the traditional Emirati population. And the museum has a wealth of artifacts to take you through those days. A large number of tools and boats that were – and still are – used for deep-sea fishing and extraction of pearls can be seen here.
Various life-like dioramas – annotated both in Arabic & English – would help you to take a glimpse in to the lives and workings of the Emiratis engaged in these activities. Besides being visual delights, these artifacts also help you to know a lot about the locals and the challenging – yet rewarding – lives that they have lead through millennia.
Other exhibits include various life-like replicas of typical daily activities of the traditional Emiratis. In fact, the figurines are so life-like, that you might be mistaken as if you are actually witnessing live people after having time traveled into the past! From a roadside barber to traditional Emirati wedding receptions, and from an Emirati souk to the trademark Bedouins – the museum is indeed a treasure trove about various aspects of traditional Arab life.
Various other architectural & historical discoveries made in Ajman can also be seen at the museum. These include black & white photographs of various sites in the emirate that date back to over a 100 years, copies of various treaties & pacts that the ruling family has signed with the British & other tribal chieftains over the years, and remnants of the earlier Ajman Police as well the emirate’s first radio station.
All in all, a visit to this culturally-rich museum would be among the most rewarding activities that you can undertake during your visit to this charming emirate.
How to Reach the Ajman Museum
The museum is located on the eastern side of the central square in the Al Bustan locality. This is right in the city center. Also located close by are Gold and other traditional souqs, along with the Corniche. You can hire a cab or a self-driven rented vehicle to reach the museum. Alternatively, you can also take a bus to reach the museum from your hotel.
Ajman Museum Timings
Ajman Museum operating hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm
- Friday: 02:30 pm to 08:00 pm
Ajman Museum Ticket Prices
- Adults: AED 5 per head
- Families (any number of heads): AED 15
- School students: AED 1 per head
Nearby Places to Visit
- Pgymy Zoo
- Ajman Dhow Yard
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque
To conclude, a visit to Ajman is not to be missed – even if it’s the only place you are planning to visit in the emirate. This will add manifolds to your knowledge about the colorful & charming history of the emirate, besides also being visually a most enjoyable experience.