The National Museum of Qatar

What happened to the original Qatar National Museum? What is the new National Museum of Qatar? When does it open?

These are some of the questions often asked about the new National Museum of Qatar. The Qatar National Museum opened in 1975 in a restored palace originally built in the early 20th century by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani. It served as his family residence and the seat of government for approximately 25 years.

In addition to the original Amiri Palace, the former Qatar National Museum included a Museum of the State, a lagoon and a very popular marine aquarium. In 1980 the building won the Agha Khan award for restoration and rehabilitation of Islamic architecture.This splendid monument to Qatar's past is now preserved as the heart of the new National Museum of Qatar.

The new museum's innovative design created by eminent architect Jean Nouvel is inspired by the desert sand rose and grows organically around the former palace. This unprecedented 21st century institution will celebrate the culture, heritage and future of Qatar and its people. It reflects and belongs to a new era in Qatari prosperity, the country's prominent role in the Arabian Gulf community and its world standing. The National Museum of Qatar is currently closed and the new museum is scheduled to open in December 2014.

Contact : National Museum of Qatar

Telephone : 00974 44442191

Work hours : Daily from 9am to 12 noon and from 4 pm to 7 pm except Saturdays