The UAE opened the Zayed National Museum in December 2025. (EdNurg (Adobe Stock))
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Few countries have a Founding Father that, to this day, holds near-universal admiration in their nations as moral figureheads and the persona of their national identity> One example is George Washington in the United States. Another is the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and their founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who brought together the seven emirates in 1971.
Citizens of UAE hang photos of Sheikh Zayed in their homes and offices, plaster stickers of him on their cars and create street art depicting his altruism. To further honor Sheikh Zayed’s life and vision for the nation, the UAE opened the Zayed National Museum in December 2025. It was named one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Museums for 2026” by the UNESCO-sponsored Prix Versailles awards which recognizes innovative design, environmental sustainability and cultural impact.
It was named one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Museums for 2026” by the UNESCO-sponsored Prix Versailles awards which recognizes innovative design, environmental sustainability and cultural impact. (creativefamily (Adobe Stock))
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The museum is located on Saadiyat Island, the cultural district of Abu Dhabi city, which is the capital city of Abu Dhabi emirate and the entire UAE. The emirate of Abu Dhabi was the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed and is the biggest of the seven emirates, making up about 85 percent of the land area of UAE. As you approach the museum, you immediately notice the roof’s massive steel structure which is designed to resemble the wing of a flying falcon, the national bird of UAE.
Sheikh Zayed was an avid falconer since his childhood, and the falcon is depicted in the logo of many UAE military units and private companies. The museum building itself represents the rolling sand dunes of the UAE.
Once you enter the museum, you find yourself in the grand atrium where natural light filters through multiple layers of glass and screens which keeps the interior cool while also creating shifting shadows.
The museum is located on Saadiyat Island, the cultural district of Abu Dhabi city, which is the capital city of Abu Dhabi emirate and the entire UAE. (EKATERINA ELAGINA (Adobe Stock))
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The museum’s central gallery, Our Beginnings, tells the story of Sheikh Zayed through several rooms containing many of Sheikh Zayed’s personal items. Major themes throughout the galleries demonstrate how Sheikh Zayed’s respect for the environment and deep desire to help others influenced his negotiations with the other emirate leaders to unify the region and current UAE policies.
The gallery ends with an exhibit of a single bronze Ghaf tree, the national tree of UAE which symbolizes resilience and perseverance. Sheikh Zayed was known to conduct community meetings under the canopy of Ghaf trees, and he also sought their shade when he needed to think and deliberate.
Sheikh Zayed was known to conduct community meetings under the canopy of Ghaf trees, and he also sought their shade when he needed to think and deliberate. (Norm (Adobe Stock))
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Zayed National Museum contains five additional galleries to explore, each focusing on a distinct phase of UAE’s history, natural environment and culture. If you get hungry during your visit, the museum has a cafe and a sit-down restaurant, both of which offer traditional Emirati cuisine items. The museum’s gift shop focuses on the traditional Emirati practice of intentional gift-giving with many items from local artists.
Before you depart, be sure to spend some time in the garden outside the museum which contains flora from each of UAE’s distinct ecosystems. As you finish your walk through the garden, you’ll find yourself under a mature Ghaf tree that was transplanted from Sheikh Zayed’s personal residence. Feel free to take a moment of peace and self-reflection under its shade.
