Ras Al Khaimah, a treasure trove of history and culture, is home to four heritage sites recognized by UNESCO’s tentative list of global heritage sites. These remarkable additions include Julfar City, the Pearl Trade City on the Red Island, Al Shamal, and Al Dhayah.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the guardian of global cultural and historical wonders, and these four sites in Ras Al Khaimah have earned their rightful place among the world’s most exceptional locations. With their inclusion, the total number of Emirati sites on the list has now reached an impressive twelve.
These UNESCO sites represent a collective history of approximately 5,000 years, with a notable focus on RAK’s maritime traditions. These new listings strengthen the UAE’s cultural heritage presence on the world tourism map.
The Department of Heritage, Antiquities, and Museums of Ras Al Khaimah in collaboration with the committee, meticulously compiled the files for these four extraordinary heritage locations:
The trading town of Julfar
Situated on the Musandam Peninsula and flanking the Hormuz Strait, Julfar City rests on a sedimentary plain separated from the Gulf coast by limestone quarries. Its fertile soil, nourished by rainwater and sediment pools from the surrounding mountains, made it an ideal hub for agriculture, eventually leading to the establishment of Julfar Commercial City. The city featured massive walls that served as an integral part of its fortification system, safeguarding its ports and lush palm tree gardens.
Key heritage sites within its vicinity, like Kush, Al Mataf, and Al Nodoud, were closely tied to Julfar City throughout various periods of the Islamic era.
Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village
This 45-hectare site is the UAE’s last surviving pearl-fishing village. The traditional heritage village boasts a network of narrow alleys adorned with houses, markets, mosques, a fort, and surveillance towers. It’s a captivating place where maritime life is intrinsically connected with the Emirate’s unique surroundings. Today, the historical site is also known as the location for the Emirate’s annual landmark celebration of culture and the arts: Ras Al Khaimah Art.
Al Shamal
Stretching over 3km, Al Shamal is a heritage site of extraordinary value. The area boasts Acacia forests, gravel plains, and stunning views of Ras Al Khaimah’s limestone quarries. It overlooks lush palm tree gardens in the fertile plains of Wadi Beeh and Wadi Hail. Al Shamal features numerous settlements, over 100 ancient cemeteries, a palace dating back to 1600-2000 BC, and other sites from various historical periods. This unique location played a crucial role in developing cultural traditions that flourished along ancient trade routes spanning the Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and the southeastern Arabian Peninsula.
Al Dhayah’s cultural scene
Al Dhayah is one of Ras Al Khaimah’s most exceptional sites, defined by its strategic geographic location and rich culture. Nestled amidst steep mountains, it overlooks a beautiful lake to the west. The Gulf of Al Dhayah has been home to stable communities for millennia. Its landscape features various natural wonders, heritage sites, and historic locations, including palm tree gardens, a lake, and the formidable Al Dhayah Fort.
With their UNESCO recognition, these sites stand as testaments to the Emirate’s deep-rooted cultural heritage and are poised to become cherished destinations for history enthusiasts and travelers alike.
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