The third largest city of the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah is a bustling administrative and commercial centre with its own distinctive ambience. A blend of the old and the new, the city is juxtaposed with modern, waterfront hotels, high rise buildings alongside its quaint mosques and traditional souqs. Amongst its unique attractions include some fine restored traditional buildings, together with a wide range of impressive museums.


Perhaps, more than any other emirate, it is in Sharjah that the passion for culture is deeply embedded the consciousness of its people. Here, parallel to its economic and social development, there has been an equally impressive advancement in the cultural realm. Indeed, as early as 1982, Sharjah’s Department of Culture and Information (DCI) was set up, assigned with the specific mission of enhancing the development of information and culture in the emirate.

With the establishment of several cultural organisations that included 14 dedicated museums, four huge public libraries, a theatre institute, three centres for Arab arts, a number of state-of-the-art cinema halls, 25 cultural centres for children, and many other cultural associations, the cultural face of the emirate began to undergo a sea change. In addition, six specialised directorates were also set up at the DCI - arts, culture, heritage, archaeology, libraries and planning. This helped the department organise and advance the cultural development of the emirate.

The DCI has been instrumental in hosting a quality of events, programmes and activities including the Sharjah World Book Fair, the Sharjah International Biennial, in addition to local, regional and international cultural conferences and gatherings.

Yet another notable feature of Sharjah is its education sector. The emirate is one of the most important learning centres in the Middle East. To understand the vision behind this achievement, one has to just visit the University City that comprises several magnificent buildings including the American University of Sharjah, University of Sharjah, the Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah Police Academy and the Sharjah Library.

No doubt, Sharjah’s focus on arts, culture and education is attributed to His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council, who was briefly the UAE Minister of Education in the 1970s. He is also a PhD holder in history from England’s Exeter University.

The great efforts by Dr Sheikh Sultan to preserve the emirate’s cultural heritage thus prompted the Unesco to nominate Sharjah as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998. And rightly so, as Sharjah has consistently dedicated its resources to establishing an enviable life style for its citizens with solid values at the very core of all future planning.
Besides its 25 world class museums, Sharjah is also home to fine cultural centres offering film festivals, public welfare institutions, five colleges and universities and more than 150 public and private schools.

Some of the more prominent museums in the cultural capital that deserve special mention include:
Al Mahatta Museum: In 1932, the first airport in the Gulf, Al Mahatta, opened in Sharjah. Today, this airport building houses a museum dedicated to enlightening the young generation about the history of flight and the development of aviation in this region. An aircraft lover’s paradise, four of the original propeller planes, fully restored, stand guard in the hangar alongside the original refuelling tanker.
The Sharjah Archaeology Museum: This is the permanent archive for all archaeological material recovered in the Emirate of Sharjah. Here, one can uncover the stories of Sharjah's very early history, explore the changing environments experienced by the region's inhabitants from the Stone Age to the present day through displays of artefacts, coins, jewellery, pottery and ancient weapons.
Among the most important displays of the time is the mould of coins discovered in Mleiha district from the period of Alexander the Great. Visitors can also see models of burials, houses and tombs and witness the first forms of writing in this area.
 

Sharjah Art Museum & Contemporary Arab Art: Opened in April 1997 this is the largest art museum in the Gulf with both temporary exhibitions and permanent collections by renowned artists. Here, you can explore the history of the region through the Orientalist painters of the 18th and 19th centuries, the array of stunning landscapes, cityscapes and portraits painted in oil, watercolours and acrylics, created by both local and internationally renowned artists. Throughout the year the museum also holds special exhibitions.

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum: This is the only museum in the Arab world devoted entirely to calligraphy that takes you on a fascinating journey of discovery across centuries of Arabian heritage in the form of beautifully written script. The works of art from the Arab world demonstrate the complexity of this vibrant art form and its historical and Islamic foundations.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation: The first of its kind in the UAE, this museum seeks to stimulate knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of Islamic art, history, science and culture. The museum is significant as it contains interesting and rich displays from Islam's history from a vast area of the world extending from Portugal in the west to the borders of China in the east.

Sharjah Aquarium: Recently opened, the Sharjah Aqaurium has over 250 species of marine life found off the coast of the emirate. From the smallest clown fish and delicate seahorses to moray eels, rays and reef sharks, the rich and diverse undersea is a visual treat for children and adults alike. The larger ocean creatures and the smaller marine life to be found in the rock pools, coral reefs, lagoons and mangroves can be found here.

Sharjah Hisn: Built in 1820 by the late Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Al Hisn fort is a masterpiece of Arab architecture and was once the residence of the Sharjah Ruling Family. The building was partially destroyed as part of development in the late 60’s and later restored. The majestic, double storey fort houses priceless objects, fascinating old photographs, classic weapons and trading tools tracing 200 years of Sharjah's history. Al Muhalwasa Jail, the Sheikh's bedroom and the date collecting store offer you insights into a unique Arabian heritage, set within the solid walls of this imposing stronghold.