Hili Oasis

The Hili Oasis is the northernmost oasis in the Al Ain district, Abu Dhabi. The oasis contains several wonderful historic structures, including two watchtowers, and a fortified house. This oasis covers an area of 60 hectares and contains approximately 40,000 mature palm trees over 252 farmed plots.

Al Qattara Fort

A good example of the fortified tower houses is the Bin Hadi al Darmaki House stands at the centre of Hili Oasis. The house in made up of a rectangular enclosure with a large square tower at one corner.

Falaj irrigation system:

The oasis uses underground water canals, to bring water from the nearby mountains. This system is called Falaj irrigation system.

Protective Gateway:

The protective gateway of Hili village and its vital water supply are defensive watchtowers and Hili watchtowers. The oasis and its falaj are of such importance to the families living in the area.

Sheikh Zayed Murabba Watchtower:

The founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, during his rule of Al Ain built the square-shaped Sheikh Zayed Murabba watchtower. This tower stands more than eight metres high and is broader at the base than at the top. It has the classic features of a defensive square tower. No windows were available including the ground floor and only a wooden staircase. Guards could keep watch over the surrounding area and lead to the upper battlements.

Seebat Khalifa Bin Nahyan Watchtower:

The Seebat Khalifa Bin Nahyan Watchtower is like the adjacent Sheikh Zayed Murabbaa tower. This tower is round in shape, with 1.75-metre-thick walls rising to a height of more than seven metres. It has a single internal space and a wooden staircase leading to the roof.

For ventilation of this tower, four large triangular openings are provided. Alternate protective walls and open spaces for attacking or keeping watch, lighting and the machicolations are augmented by saw-toothed battlements.

Al Ain National  Museum:

The Al Ain National  Museum is the oldest museum in the UAE. This adorable museum 

 displays hundreds of artifacts such as stone vessels, pottery, beads, etc.,

Al Ain Museum is located at the eastern edge of Al Ain Oasis. In the grounds of Al Ain Museum, one of its major attractions is Sultan Fort also known as the Eastern Fort. This fort is a well-preserved mud-brick structure with towers. At fort three of the corners and a gate in the southern façade.

The Al Ain Museum is divided into three main sections:

1. Archaeology,
2.  Ethnography and
3.  Gifts

The Archaeology section of the museum includes imported Mesopotamian is known as modern Iraq pots found in Abu Dhabi’s tallest peak, Jebel Hafit mountain. Locally manufactured jewellery, sourced from a tomb in the Al Qattara area is an example of exquisite is displayed at the museum.

The Ethnography section of the museum explores the culture of the UAE, traditions and customs of the people. That showcases the lifestyle, education, agriculture, medicine and daily life of the local community.

The most popular item in the museum’s collection is moon rock that was given to the UAE by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States.

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