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Located in the heart of the fifth largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, the Ajman Heritage District pays tribute to this emirate’s rich history and heritage. The district is characterized by its traditional buildings, the Old Saleh Souk, Ajman Fort and the Ajman Museum.
The Old Saleh Souk was built in the 1950s but has been recently been renovated as part of a government initiative to refurbished the entire district. A gentle mix of exotic scents of spices combine with incense marks the entrance of the Souk. The Souk is home to around 80 retailers which line the palm covered alleys and corridors of this quaint bazaar. Selling a range of items including handmade leather goods, traditional embroidered clothing, souvenirs and handcraft items.
Across the street from the Saleh Souk is the Ajman Museum which hosts a carefully curated collection testifying to the history of emirate across the centuries. Archaeological artefacts, rare manuscripts, folk costumes are some of the many items on display. At the heart of this wonderful museum is an excavated cemetery from the Al Muwaihat Region. The cemetery had been undisturbed with funeral jewellery and pottery dating back to 3000 BC. Pearl fishing shaped the Ajman economy in the past and a section of the museum offers a detailed look into that rich history. Other professions are also featured within the arabesque galleries of the museum with items of medical and religious practices displayed alongside old delicately carved weapons.
The Ajman Museum is housed in an 18th century fortress, the Ajman Fort. The majestic Ajman Fort is a double storey traditional rock, coral and mudbrick structure. The fort’s Barjeel (or wind tower) is currently the oldest of its kind in the country. The fort has played a central role in the history of Ajman for well over 2 centuries with rulers using the fort as their primary residence. In 1967, however, the then ruler Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi elected to move out of the fort and dedicated the building to the Ajman Police for their headquarters. In 1978, the Ajman Fort was vacated before being restored a few years later in the 1980’s. Today the fort is the key focal point of the Ajman Heritage District and houses the Ajman Museum.
The Ajman Heritage District is part of AED 25 million investment by the authorities and combines history, culture, architecture and cuisines within one area. It was opened in October 2020 and has emerged a firm favourite with tourists and residents alike.
