Dubai’s newest museum has been opened – and it documents the story of the founding of the UAE.

Remember that museum they were constructing near the flagpole in Jumeirah 1? Well, it’s now finished, having been inaugurated by members of the Federal Supreme Council alongside the rulers of the Emirates on Friday, December 2.

So yes, it’s officially been opened, but it opens to the public on Saturday January 7: we will update you on admission costs etc as soon as we know.

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The UAE’s royals gather at the inauguration of the Etihad Museum on Friday

Inside the museum, visitors can learn about the story of the founding of the United Arab Emirates.

The Etihad Museum covers 2.5 hectares and is located next to Union House, where the signing of the treaty establishing the UAE took place in 1971.

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The project also involved restoring the Union House to its original state and replacing the existing and famous flagpole with a slightly taller 123-metre mast.

etihad museum

The Etihad Museum is managed by Dubai Culture, the emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage.

The structure is designed in the shape of a manuscript, with seven columns built into the museum to resemble the pens used to sign the original declaration. It will consist of eight permanent pavilions.

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WHAT TO EXPECT

Pavilion One: Will show a documentary film about the history of the UAE.

Pavilion Two: Will house a panoramic interactive map highlighting the era before the formation of the federation.Union Museum

Pavilion Three: An interactive timeline that demonstrates key historical events before the union.

Pavilion Four: A visual showcase of the meeting between the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Pavilion Five: An interactive guide to the formation of the union.

Pavilion Six: An homage to the important moments and challenges confronted the founding fathers before 1971.

Union Museum

Pavilion Seven: This will be dedicated to the UAE Constitution and will include the actual declaration itself.

Pavilion Eight: The final pavilion will be an open gallery celebrating the new born nation.

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Photos: Twitter/Dubai Media Office, architecture firm Werner Sobek & supplied.