|
|
|
|
Fujairah is the land of many historical places. The old fort in Fujairah's historic town which is approximately 300 years old and the many small wind towers still standing in neighboring villages as proud reminders of the town's recent past. However, archaeological ations have shown that man's presence in the region actually dates back to the Iron Age. In fact, some of -the most important archaeological finds in the Arabian Gulf have been made in the area.
Following are the prominent attractions in this historic city:
• Ain Madhab Park
• Fujairah Fort
• Fujairah Museum
• Bull Butting
• Power Boat Racing
• Al Bidyah Mosque
• AL Bithnah Forte
• Heritage Village
• Khor Kalba |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Ain Madhab Park. |
A 50 hectare park and resort for families, is a popular park in Fujairah, looks like a green carpet with the grass and many kinds of trees and flowers planted. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Fujairah Fort. |
Fujairah Fort, built in 1670, was badly damaged in the early 20-th century. Considered the oldest fort in the UAE, it has served as a defensive building and a home for the ruling family.The Fujairah Fort is a mud brick structure with three major sections, several halls, one square tower and two round towers. The fort has been renovated and restored to its former glory. For many centuries it was the only stone building along the Fujairah coast.Located on a hill at the edge of date gardens. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Fujairah Museum. |
The Fujairah Museum is located south of the Fort, opposite the Ruler's Palace. Displays at the Fujairah Museum include artifacts found in archeological digs at Qidfa and Bithnah. Local and foreign archeologists have uncovered items dating back to early Bronze Age, over 4,500 years ago. Exhibits at the Fujairah Museum include pieces made of bronze, steel, brass, silver and gold. Bronze and Iron Age weapons, painted pottery, carved soapstone vessels and pre-Islamic silver coins. The latest addition to the displays is Herbs and Folkloric Medicine. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Bull Butting. |
Bull Butting began in Portugal between the 16-th and 17-th centuries. The Portugese who colonized the area brought the sport to the United Arab Emirates. In Fujairah, bull butting is a family event. Every Friday, local families and tourists gather at an open field to watch the bulls' battle it out. The day begins with 20 bulls and winners move on the next round. The prize for the winner is to have his value increased.After many hundreds of years in an open area the bull butting contests will take place behind a fence. Even though the bulls are tied up and handled by attendants, they sometimes take to charging spectators - especially those in red. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Power Boat Racing. |
One of the most important activities and attractions is the Power Boat racing world championship, hosted in Fujairah every year in October and organized by Fujairah International Marine Club and highly recommended to be seen for a great pleasure. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Al Bidyah Mosque. |
Al Bidyah Mosque is the oldest in the United Arab Emirates. The engineering features are a major accomplishment for the period of construction. The mosque was named for the historical town that embraced it for so many centuries. It is also known as the Ottoman Mosque, for the man who built it.Al Bidyah Mosque, north of Fujairah, consists of a prayer hall with a prayer niche or Mihrab, pulpit, arches and openings. A central pillar divides the internal space in to four squares of similar dimensions. The pillar supports all four domes that can bee seen from the exterior.The internal decoration of the mosque combines stone carvings, openings for ventilation and light with special shelves to house the Holy Quran. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Al Bithnah Fort. |
The Bithna Fort is near Fujairah on the main highway. The Bithna Fort once stood watch over the strategic route across the Hajar Mountains through Wadi Ham. Built in 1735, Bithna Fort was considered on the most important fortresses in the eastern part of the United Arab Emirates.Small parts of the wall are still standing showing the intricate decorative designs of the majlis walls. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Heritage Village. |
The Heritage Village in Fujairah presents the traditional way of life for residents of the Emirates. Traditional houses, cooking utensils, farming tools and the Al Yazrah irrigation system, used for irrigating fields with a working bull are displayed. Heritage Village contains the Fujairah fortress and other ancient buildings, which were used by the Ruler's family. The Department of Archeology and Heritage in Fujairah has renovated the fortress, constructed a wall of mud around the area and built a theatre that can accommodate more than 3,000 spectators. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Khor Kalba. |
South of the village of Kalba is Khor Kalba, set in a beautiful tidal estuary (khor is the Arabic word for creek). This is the most northerly mangrove forest in the world, the oldest in Arabia and home to a variety of plant, marine and birdlife not found anywhere else in the UAE. The mangroves flourish in this area thanks to a mix of saltwater from the sea and freshwater from the mountains, but worryingly they are receding due to the excessive use of water from inland wells. For birdwatchers, the area is especially good during the spring and autumn migrations when special species of bird include the reef heron and the booted warbler. |
|
|
| |
|
