Don’t have plans for the weekend? Consider a cultural journey across the UAE! The newly issued polymer Dh5, Dh10, and Dh50 notes by the UAE Central Bank in 2022 showcase glimpses of the nation’s cultural and historic landmarks. Grab your fresh notes and embark on a trip across four emirates to learn about the UAE’s history, culture, and heritage.
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Featured on the new Dh10 polymer note
Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world, making it one of the UAE’s most recognizable landmarks. The mosque is depicted on one side of the new Dh10 polymer note. According to Abu Dhabi’s tourism website, visitabudhabi.ae, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan built the mosque to create a cultural haven that welcomes and inspires people from all backgrounds.
Completed in just over a decade, the mosque boasts over 1,000 amethyst-and-jasper-embedded columns, 82 white marble domes, reflective pools, gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers, and a courtyard featuring one of the world’s largest marble mosaic artworks. A visit to the mosque not only offers a glimpse into Islamic architecture and design but also fosters greater cultural understanding.
You can participate in a free cultural tour that lasts 45 minutes, but remember to book a slot in advance through the mosque’s official website at www.szgmc.gov.ae.
Location: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Abu Dhabi
2. Wahat Al Karama
Featured on the new Dh50 note
Wahat Al Karama, meaning the Oasis of Dignity in Arabic, serves as a memorial honoring Emirati martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their country. It features a permanent memorial commemorating the UAE’s heroes, including soldiers, police, diplomats, and civilians, since 1971.
The structure comprises 31 massive leaning tablets clad in aluminum, symbolizing the unity, solidarity, and mutual support that connect the UAE’s leadership with its citizens and the servicemen and women who protect them. If you visit the memorial, you can also witness an Honour Guard march, which occurs daily before sunset.
The site is open to the public daily from 9 am to 10 pm and is free of charge.
Location: The memorial is located directly opposite the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with regular shuttle buses connecting the two sites and a pedestrian bridge for easy access.
3. Etihad Museum
Featured on the new Dh50 note
The word “Etihad,” meaning union in Arabic, frequently appears in discussions about the UAE’s foundation. The Etihad Museum is the best place to explore this significant part of the country’s history. Located near Union House—the site where the constitution was signed in 1971—the museum aims to inspire visitors by sharing the remarkable journey of the UAE since its inception.
Location: 1 Jumeirah Street, Al Mina, Dubai
4. Khorfakkan Amphitheatre
Featured on the new Dh10 polymer note
Inaugurated in 2020, the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is a cultural landmark in Sharjah, depicted on the Dh10 polymer note. Inspired by Roman architecture, the amphitheatre is accompanied by a waterfall made from natural rock, both facing the beautiful Khorfakkan shore—making it an ideal spot for a family outing.
Location: Rugaylat Road, Al Mudaifi, Sharjah
5. Ajman Fort
Featured on the new Dh5 polymer note
Originally the Ruler’s palace, Ajman Fort dates back to the 18th century and now houses a museum that showcases the cultural and historical legacy of the UAE’s forefathers. It can be found on the new Dh5 note and is part of the Ajman Heritage District.
Location: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Rashid Street, Al Bustan, Ajman
6. Dhayah Fort
Featured on the new Dh5 note
Dhayah Fort is the only remaining hill fort in the UAE and dates back to the Late Bronze Age (1600 – 1300 BC), serving as a settlement and fortification site. The twin-peaked golden mud-brick fortress, built in the 19th century and restored in the late 1990s, is a significant historical monument where the 1819 battle occurred between British troops and local Qawasim tribes, according to Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism website, visitrasalkhaimah.com.
Visitors are advised to explore the fort during the daytime, as there are no lights along the climb. Once at the top, you can enjoy a slice of history and breathtaking views of the green lowlands and the winding creek in the distance.
