On the coast of the Persian Gulf, 13 km from Dubai, the most “non-alcoholic” and strict emirate of Sharjah is located. The sights of its capital - the city of the same name - amaze the imagination of even sophisticated travelers. No wonder Sharjah was recognized in 1998 by UNESCO as the cultural center of the entire Arab world. The city deservedly received this status as a reward for loy alty to culture and art, careful attitude to the architectural heritage. And today, restoration work is underway to restore ancient buildings, new objects of unprecedented beauty are being built.
Sharjah is a true museum treasure. The sights of the Middle East amaze with we alth. There are a lot of museums in the city: Art, National Heritage, Archaeological, Scientific, Historical, etc. If it is not possible to visit them all, then you should stop yourselection at the Maritime Museum and Museum of Fine Arts. The first opened relatively recently - in 2009, but has become one of the main objects for which Sharjah is visited. The sights of the museum acquaint visitors with the marine life of the Arabs. The exposition contains items used for fishing, collecting seafood, trading, there are wooden sailboats.
The Museum of Fine Arts was opened in 1997; it has gained popularity not only among local residents, but also among visitors to the emirate. A huge number of the best works of fine art from the Arab world are collected here, there are also works by foreign artists, and exhibitions are often held. The King Faisal Mosque is one of the grandest buildings that Sharjah is so proud of. The sights of other cities pale in comparison with this architectural marvel. The mosque is considered one of the largest in the Middle East, it can accommodate up to 3 thousand believers.
One of the most favorite vacation spots not only for citizens, but also for tourists is the Sharjah Desert Park. It occupies an area of one square kilometer, a huge number of museums are concentrated here: a botanical museum, the culture of Arabia, natural history, a children's farm, etc. Sharjah also occupies a significant place in Al Hisn Fort in its history. The map of sights will allow you to quickly find the necessary object. The fort was built in 1820 and was the residence of the royal family. Today there is a museum dedicated to the history of the emirate, it is devoted toattention to all the important events that have affected the life of the UAE. It also houses a collection of ancient weapons.
You can visit the Al Maskouf market, traders from India and Iran used to come here to exchange coal mined by the Bedouins in the desert for their goods. Most often, rice and spices were used. Today, the bazaar has only architectural, historical and cultural value. Hospitable Sharjah (UAE) will not let anyone go without gifts. Sights, of course, must be seen, but you should still take care of purchasing souvenirs for relatives and friends. To do this, you need to go to the central market, which is one of the most popular not only in the Emirates, but throughout the Middle East.
