With a history of around 400 years and a rapid pace of development, which never lost sight of its heritage, Kuwait has many historical, modern, beautiful and significant tourist spots to cater to everybody’s entertainment.

MUSEUMS

National Museum

Located in Kuwait City on the Arabian Gulf Street between the Seif Palace and the National Assembly (Parliament), the Kuwait National Museum was planned by Michel Ecochard. Though the architectural project and the plans of the museum were ready in 1960, actual construction started only in 1981. It was on 23 February 1983 that two of the four buildings were inaugurated; the planetarium was opened on 16 February 1986.

The museum reflects the national identity, featuring the social, economic, political and religious life of the Kuwaiti people. Stripped and burnt by the Iraqi invaders, it houses the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah (DAI) or the Al-Sabah collection of Islamic art, one of the most comprehensive collections in the world ranging from early Islam to the 18th century. Iraq has today returned over 90 per cent of the collection. A variety of scholarly and artistic activities revolve around this collection, each requiring a broad and intensive background in Islamic history. The collection itself is organised according to both historical period and geographical region. To give viewers a comprehensive look at the artefacts, the reference library and the various publications of the Hadeeth ad-Dar (the journal associated with the collection) maintain a close conjunction with the DAI.

The visitors to National Museum can also catch a glimpse of the customs, traditions and heritage. It is designed as a traditional mud house, displaying the old life in Kuwait with all its manifestations including old souk, pearl diving and ship building, ethnographic artefacts and archaeological material from excavations on Failaka Island.

Bayt Al-Badr (Al-Badr House)

An old house located next to Al-Sadu house, Bayt Al-Badr was built between 1838 and 1848. In 1968, this house was joined to the Museum of Antiquities for displaying old Kuwaiti architecture. In 1976, it became a temporary abode for the Kuwait National Museum.

Al-Badr house is considered as a model of old Kuwaiti traditions, embodying the economical and social condition of Kuwait's society in the past. It is also characterised by the architectural plan and the local construction materials that have been kept in good condition throughout the years.

It possesses a fine example of the famous front doors of old Kuwait. Local handicrafts are sometimes displayed here.

Sadu House

Kuwait's roots are entwined with both the sea and the desert. The bedouins lived a life governed by the rhythm of the seasons. A traditional craft of major importance was Sadu weaving, characterised by geometric designs woven by hand with dyed, spun and coloured wool. Sadu weaving is still alive in the nomadic culture, which gave birth to it.