Bait Al Naboodah

Bait Al Naboodah first opened its doors as a museum on November 14, 1995.



Bait Al Naboodah offers you the opportunity to learn about the authentic architectural designs of the traditional Emirati houses, as well as the lifestyle and values of our ancestors. This house is a unique model of the marvelous art of architecture. Here, in Bait Al Naboodah you can explore every detail of our ancestors’ lifestyle and admire the rich heritage. Built in the mid-19th century, the museum has been renovated to revive the UAE heritage and bear witness to a rich history, which we still cherish today.

This house originally belonged to the late Obaid bin Eissa Bin Ali Al Shamsi, nicknamed Al Naboodah, who was a prominent pearl trader that held commercial ties with India, Africa and France. Al Naboodah lived in this house, which was built in the mid-19th century‎, with his three wives and children. The construction process of the house passed through several phases, according to family expansion.



This charming two-storey house is built around a large courtyard with walls made of coral. Building luxurious spacious houses containing many rooms, water wells, Majlis (guests’ room) and a library, is not unusual for the people of Sharjah. The house does not consist of any Barajeel (old constructions that served as air conditioners); instead, it features wind catchers‎ on the walls. The interior and exterior designs are characterized by unique decorative carvings in plaster, wood and palm trunks.