Abu Dhabi to open Natural History Museum this winter

UAE capital is set to open the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi this winter.

According to Khaleej Times, the city announced that the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open its doors on Nov. 22 in the Saadiyat Cultural District.

The museum spans 35,000 square meters and takes visitors on an immersive journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history — from the Big Bang and the formation of the solar system to the evolution of life, the rise and fall of dinosaurs, and the planet’s biodiversity.

Designed by Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo, the museum’s structure echoes natural rock formations, reflecting its mission to “connect people with the natural world and inspire the next generation to question, discover, and shape a more sustainable future.”

Key attractions

Among the museum’s highlights are three “travelers from deep time.”

Stan, a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, represents one of Earth’s most fearsome predators, which ruled 67 million years ago.

A 25-meter female blue whale specimen — the largest animal ever known — illustrates evolution, marine biodiversity, and the continuity of life.

The Murchison Meteorite, which contains seven-billion-year-old stardust grains formed before the solar system, offers a tangible link to the origins of our planet.

Cultural vision

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, said the opening marks a major step in shaping Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape.

“The museum offers an immersive look at the story of life on Earth, framed for the first time through an Arabian lens, with the fauna, flora, and geological history of the region forming a prominent part of the visitor journey,” Al Mubarak said.

He added that the institution will also serve as a hub for research and education, supporting scientific studies in zoology, paleontology, marine biology, molecular research, and Earth sciences.

“The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi inspires future generations and contributes to a more sustainable future,” Al Mubarak said.

The museum joins a growing cultural community on Saadiyat Island that includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

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