All about the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi
Unearth the mysteries behind the creation of the universe and the history of our planet. This amazing museum will allow you to journey back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth and learn about the natural events that have led our planet to its current state of evolution. In this guide, we fully preview the eagerly-anticipated Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi as its 2025 opening draws ever closer.
OVERVIEW
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi at Saadiyat Cultural District is a project by the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) in partnership with Miral, a pioneer developer with several successful leisure destinations under its belt.
On Wednesday, 23rd March 2022, His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, announced the project of the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum. The attraction promises to be an exciting experience for people of all ages.
Mecanoo designed the impressive 35,000 square metres waterfront museum. Architects have come up with a stunning design that resonates with the rock formations in the region. Water and vegetation are crucial elements of the museum’s design, symbolising life in the harsh desert.
Once completed, the museum will serve as a scientific research and teaching institution. It will also represent an extensive educational resource where visitors can learn more about our ever-evolving planet.
The galleries at the Museum of Natural History Abu Dhabi galleries will include permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, along with theatre facilities and impressive event spaces.
Exhibits and Galleries at Natural History Museum
The galleries and exhibits at the Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi will feature rare natural specimens, some of which will be up to 13.8 billion years old! The main highlight will be “Stan”, a magnificent 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton that is sure to delight and amaze in equal measure
The museum is expected to open its doors to the public in 2025. The project is in line with Saadiyat’s “One Island, Many Journeys” campaign that has the aim of attracting over 19 million visitors.
Another attraction at the museum will be the Murchison meteorite that landed in Australia. The meteorite has stardust compounds and seven billion-year-old pre-solar grains formed before the sun!
The museum is being built close to one of the richest fossil deposits in the region at the Baynunah Formation. The area is known for its rocks from the Miocene period.
Teaching and Research Centre
The museum will also be home to a state-of-the-art teaching and research centre that will undertake studies in various fields:
- Molecular Research
- Earth Sciences
- Palaeontology
- Marine Biology
- Zoology
The museum aims to inspire passion and eagerness amongst its visitors to explore the past and seek a sustainable future for all species on Earth.
FAQs
WHEN WILL THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF ABU DHABI OPEN?
The upcoming Natural History Museum at Saadiyat Island is expected to open in 2025.
WHAT IS THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ABU DHABI LOCATION?
The under-construction museum is located in the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island.
This brings us to the end of our preview of the upcoming Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi. The attraction, along with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, is expected to increase the number of visitors to this idyllic island drastically.
While the new attractions and museums will be super exciting, it shouldn’t be forgotten that there are already so many fun things to do on Saadiyat Island, including shopping and visiting the much-loved Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Cover image credits: Visit Abu Dhabi’s official website
