Who hasn’t heard of Dubai and immediately thought of its towering skyscrapers? This Emirati city is famous for its buildings, some of which are the tallest and most luxurious in the world. A mecca for lovers of innovation and ostentation.
But in the shadow of the futuristic Dubai we find a traditional city, whose historic buildings are witnesses of the past of one of the most popular cities on the continent. In Dubai you can buy a Chanel bag, but also immerse yourself in the sensations and the smell of leather and spices of a century-old souk. A contrast between tradition and modernity that make it one of the most intriguing cities in the world.
To delve into Dubai’s past, it is necessary to first know its historical importance. Although its origins as a city date back to the 19th century, and its notoriety began with the urban boom of the eighties, the truth is that the area had already been inhabited since 3000 BC, as revealed by the archaeological excavations in Hatta, Al Qusais and Jumeirah.
The birth of the city of Dubai was marked by the natural Dubai Creek estuary, where the first settlers settled, and it began to grow thanks to trade, mainly pearls. After World War II, gold and oil marked the economic drive of Dubai, followed by a great population growth since the 1970s. Currently, tourism is the main source of income for the city.
Returning to the past, it is inevitable to highlight the leading role of Dubai Creek in the development of the city. It was the most important port in the region, at the beginning of the 19th century, receiving hundreds of merchant ships. Noteworthy here are the famous traditional boats (dhows). These sailing boats are a symbol of the Arab past, and today they are used as a tourist attraction to navigate the estuary.
The banks of Dubai Creek are among the best areas for walking, being very pleasant to walk along the water contemplating the skyline of the city’s skyscrapers.
Dubai Creek is also the natural line that divides the neighborhoods of Deira (to the north) and Bur Dubai (to the south), two districts that reflect the authentic past of the city. It is common to see abras – another type of traditional boat – crossing the estuary to transport passengers and goods from one neighborhood to another, an image that gives this area of ??Dubai a particular charm. Deira and Bur Dubai offer visitors the chance to discover another face of the city, thanks to its narrow streets, its traditional houses and its bustling and colorful souks or markets.
In Deira, the Gold Souk stands out, the market where the largest number of jewelry stores are concentrated and the best place in the city to get pieces of this metal at tax-free prices.
The Bur Dubai souk is another place worth visiting. As in most of these Arab markets, haggling is the order of the day. The smells of spices and leather transport us to other, more primitive times.
In Bur Dubai is located the area of ??Al Bastakiya, one of the oldest in Dubai. Time seems to have stopped in its streets of houses with interior patios, some of them former homes of rich merchants eager to flaunt their wealth. Currently, these buildings house art galleries, shops or cafes that retain the charm of yesteryear.
In Bastakiya you can also see the wind catchers. These are a kind of towers or chimneys that formerly acted as a ventilation and cooling system for houses, providing fresh air to combat the heat of the desert.
The south of Dubai offers the possibility to explore and get to know what the more traditional life was like, visiting some places that show the aspects of daily life from other times. One of them is the Al Ahmadiya school, which was one of the first educational centers in the country and revolutionized teaching by introducing new subjects, such as English or Science.
Next to the school is the Heritage House, a historic house that shows what the Dubai lifestyle was like at the beginning of the 20th century. The tour passes through different rooms, such as the guest rooms divided by gender; the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen or the patio. In the latter one can sit down to rest and have a cup of tea.
But to marvel at the Arabian architecture, there is no better place than the house of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum. The man who was the Emir of Dubai between 1912 and 1958, grandfather of the current leader, lived there. In the house you can see splendid vaulted ceilings, horseshoe doors, carved windows and many other characteristic elements of the Arabian style. But almost even more interesting is the exhibition of photographs spread throughout the house, which makes up a visual tour of a Dubai very different from the one we know today, before the discovery and impact of the oil deposits.
Heritage Village and Diving Village are reconstructions of traditional settlements that focus on the old Emirati world. In them you can see artisan stalls, such as potters and weavers, or boats and old equipment that were used in the collection of pearls. On specific dates, shows and exhibitions take place in a very lively atmosphere.
Dubai is located in the desert, which makes it easy to get to know another different culture: the Bedouin. Going into the dunes for free is not recommended, but there are tour operators that organize excursions and visits, with the option of spending the night in the desert. In these villages, its inhabitants have been known for their hospitality for centuries. They usually receive visitors with tea, coffee or dates, a tradition that still exists, to later show their nomadic way of life.
Al Seef was another of the districts that filled old Dubai with life. A neighborhood of fishermen and merchants that, today, is a perfect place to take a walk and watch the dhows that sail through the Dubai Creek estuary.
At night, Al Seef becomes a very lively area, with a surprising atmosphere that envelops everyone who decides to walk through it. Fashion shops, handicrafts, bars, restaurants… blend together creating a delicious setting.
