Qatar - National Museum of Qatar

Saturday 28th Dec - Thomas' family had departed early this morning back to France.

Karina and I went out after lunch to visit the National Museum of Qatar, which is across the road from the south end of the Corniche, not far from Old Doha Port.

It opened to the public in March 2019 replacing the former museum which opened in 1975. It was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel who was inspired by the desert rose crystal found in Qatar's desert regions. 

One of Doha's truly magnificent buildings, my photos just don't do it justice!!!

Entry price for a non-resident adult was QAR50 ($21,80), but as a resident Karina gets free entry.

The courtyard surrounding the buildings

In the centre of the courtyard is "Flag of glory" a sculpture by Iraqi artist Ahmed Albahrani. where various hands raise the Qatari flag with unstoppable force.

Me at the Flag of Glory sculpture

The museum is made up of interlocking discs that act as a shading system and ensure energy efficiency and creates cavities to protect visitors from the Summer heat. The building also incorporates environmental friendly features such as efficient insulation, solar panels and a water recycling system.

The museum is connected to the shore by two pedestrian bridges and a road bridge. The building occupies 40,000m2 (430,000 sqft) of land, including a landscaped park with an artificial lagoon, parking for 400 cars, an auditorium, a research centre, two restaurants, a cafe and two museum shops (one which is for children).

View to the entrance from the flag sculpture

At the entrance to the permanent galleries, a huge sculpture "Motherland" by  Qatari artist Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani references the traditional sailing dhow and also acts as a tribute to the region's last generation of women who wore the battoola (metallic face mask), 

Across 11 galeries, you learn the history of Qatar from its formation with models of extinct animals, archeology, the people and culture - life in the desert, life on the coast - the pearling industry, the new era when Qatar started engaging with foreign powers and the emergence of the modern nation, and the turning point in Qatari history with the collapse of the pearling industry and the discovery of oil and finally the last gallery explores Qatar in the reign of the current emir - Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, who continues his father's work by diversifying the country's economy and invest in the younger generation. 

The formation of Qatar

The oryx - an animal from the Middle East

Patterns of carpets and jewellery of the Gulf

                                               

     

Various types of pearls

The Pearl carpet of Baroda, one of the most remarkable objects ever created is embroidered with around 1,5 million Basra pearls (so named because they were traded in Basra, Iraq). It was commissioned by India's Maharaja of Baroda, Gaekwar Khande Rao around 1865. Originally intended as a cover for the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed at Medina.

Apart from the pearls the 2,64mt x 1,74mt is woven from silk threads with a background of natural deer skin, and is also covered with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. 

In a Sotheby's auction in 2009 it was bought by an anonymous buyer for $5,5 million USD, and is now a part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of Qatar.

In the history of Qatar's gallery, we learn about the turbulence in the Gulf region when the Portuguese arrived in mid 1500's and their control over the maritime trade and pearling industry.

Then came the Ottomans, the Dutch, British and French trading companies in the early 1600's brought more uncertainty to the Gulf region with intense competition over trade routes. 

As trade flourished the strength of the Arab tribes increased, and Sheikh Jassim brought together the tribes under his leadership to create an unified country and 

were then eventually able to overthrow the Portuguese and the Ottomans.

                            

                              

 

After the collapse of the pearl trade due to the introduction of cultured pearls, Qatar experience an economic crisis and the people really struggled.

Soon after, following years of exploration and testing, by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, the first company to receive a concession in 1935, oil was discovered in Dukhan (about 1 h east of Doha) in 1939 with 1 well producing 5000 barrels a day.

Later the concession was transferred to a company now named Qatar Petroleum Co., and this changed the future of Qatar, which is now in the top 5 richest countries in the world.

Nowadays there are 605 wells in Dukhan, that produce over 616,000 barrels per day. Qatar also possesses the world's third largest gas reserves.

The petrol and gas discoveries in Qatar

More recently in June 2017, the country suffered a blockade involving the deterioration of ties between Qatar and the Arab League countries, who banned Qatar aircraft and ships from utilizing their territory by air, land or sea.

This was brought about by those countries demanding that Qatar reduce diplomatic relations with Iran, military co-ordination with Turkey and closing Al Jazeera (a 24h English language news channel funded by Qatar).

Qatar refused the colation's demands and eventually with negotiations the blockade ended in January 2021.  In this gallery there is a striking and immersive digital installation that narrates these events.

The country subsequently emerged economically and militarily stronger and more autonomous, by diversifying the economy and investing in the education of the younger generation.

All over Doha you can see the poster like image of the current Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (like the yellow one above) with messages of support during the blockade.

On the outside of the Museum you find the Old Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim, which was built in 1906 and was the seat of government and residence of the Sheikh during 25 years. It was then renovated in 1975 when the first Qatar National Museum was established and once again renovated to be part of the new museum.

The abandoned old Palace 

The Old Palace going through renovations

Karina at the gate from the Museum to the courtyard where the Old Palace is located

In the courtyard's dry garden before crossing to the Old Palace stood a couple of bronze statues of 2 camels plus two calves called "On their way", by Roch Vandromme.

Camels are extraordinary animals closely bound to the people of Qatar and desert life. The artist visited Qatar to study and experience this bond.

The historic palace was carefully restored by a German architecture firm (ZRS Architekten Ingenieure) preserving the Qatar's past within the new museum.

And our visit came to an end with a walk through one of the two museum shops, which was also beautiful with curved walls and slatted wooden ceiling.

Various desert rose crystals

Night time photo from the courtyard

Me in front of the Museum entrance

National Museum of Qatar sign

And from the net you can see this amazing aerial view of the Museum, where you can see the scale of the building, with the Old Palace to the right, the Corniche next to the Gulf waters and Old Doha Port at the far end.

(photo from the net)

More signs for Tom's meme, which you can read here: (click the link please)