The Middle East’s most exciting new museum has arrived

At the edge of the Doha Corniche, a 40,000-square-meter structure shaped like a desert rose has bloomed.

After a delay of more than two years, the National Museum of Qatar finally opened on March 28. It adds to the stunning architectural landscape of Doha’s waterfront.

The glamorous opening ceremony attracted celebrity guests including Johnny Depp, Naomi Campbell, and Victoria Beckham. The UK Times calls it 'the most extraordinary building of the decade,' while the Financial Times describes it as 'a desert rose of mutant scale,' and The Guardian ponders whether this 'eye-popping creation' is 'too extravagant to fill.'

So, what can visitors expect to find inside this magnificent new mega-museum?

Three 'chapters' of history

The museum’s narrative unfolds through its spaces, mirroring the building's architecture. Spread across 11 galleries, it takes visitors on a 1.5-kilometer journey through three distinct 'chapters' of Qatari history: Beginnings, Life in Qatar, and Building the Nation.

It’s an impressive fusion of history and modernity. At the heart of the museum, within this futuristic design, is the newly restored palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani – the son of the founder of modern Qatar.

This small nation, slightly smaller than the US state of Connecticut, has a surprisingly rich and expansive history.

The story of Qatar’s evolution dates back 700 million years, when the peninsula first began to take shape. Over the centuries, parts of it were submerged underwater, while other areas were landlocked, before eventually emerging as the Qatar we know today.

Fast-forward to the 19th century, and Qatar had established itself as a key stop on the British trade route. Zubarah, located on the northern coast, became a vital waypoint on the journey to Britain’s Indian colony.

The UNESCO World Heritage site at the now-deserted Zubarah Fort offers a glimpse into the lives of Qatar’s inhabitants from centuries past.

Pearls and black gold

Zubarah’s thriving pearling industry supported the livelihoods of many locals, including Bedouins and Hadar. The museum honors Qatar’s rich maritime heritage, showcasing exhibits of hand-crafted wooden dhows that were once essential for fishing and trade.

Visitors can also admire the 19th-century Pearl Carpet of Baroda, which is adorned with over 1.5 million Gulf pearls and decorated with emeralds, diamonds, and sapphires.

Qatar’s transformation began with the discovery of oil in 1939, followed by natural gas in the 1970s. But it was in 1995, when Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ascended to power, that the country truly began to thrive and cement its place as an economic giant.

As Qatar speeds toward the future, the challenge becomes: how can we preserve and represent the past? Karen Exell, Senior Museum Development Specialist at NMoQ, shares her insights.

“A big part of our goal was to bridge the gap and help today’s younger generation understand the industries that have shaped their lives,” explains Exell.

Qatar’s place in the world

But how do you turn an industrial tale about oil into something that captures the imagination?

The answer lies in art. The museum has partnered with both established and emerging local and international artists to bring this story to life.

The ground floor entrance features a piece by Qatari artist Ali Hassan, while another work by Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani greets visitors at the entrance to the galleries. In the Howsh, or caravanserai, Iraqi artist Ahmed Al Bahrani’s sculpture adds a striking touch to the outdoor space.

“Artists offer a completely fresh perspective,” says Exell. “They explore aspects that might be overlooked in a more conventional approach.”

This diverse collection of artists, each telling Qatar’s story through their unique perspectives, mirrors the diversity of the country itself, both in its residents and visitors.

A major theme explored in the new museum is Qatar’s global identity, and how it has evolved and interconnected with the world throughout history.

Immersive storytelling plays a central role in the museum’s design, incorporating video, audio, and tactile experiences. Scents also add to the sensory journey: coffee (a beloved part of Doha’s culture), the sweet woody aroma of oud, along with the distinctive smells of oil and gunpowder.

Sea and the cosmos

The museum features cafes, restaurants, and a shop, alongside a 220-seat auditorium and a man-made lagoon.

French artist Jean Michel-Othoniel has created a special installation for the museum. If you've passed through Hamad International Airport, you might already be familiar with his stunning piece 'Cosmos.'

For the museum, Othoniel has crafted an equally striking work: 114 fountains set within the lagoon, their water streams designed to mimic the fluid shapes of Arabic calligraphy.

In the museum's park, Syrian artist Simone Fattal’s sculpture, 'Gates of the Sea,' draws inspiration from the ancient petroglyphs found in Qatar at Al Jassasiya.

The building itself is a remarkable feat of architecture, with its roof composed of 76,000 interlocking panels, arranged like a giant puzzle of discs.

The desert rose that inspired the design is a rare natural phenomenon where crystal formations take shape in the harsh, sandy conditions of the desert. Each rose, like a fingerprint, is one-of-a-kind.

While Qatar is often associated with its oil and gas resources, like the desert rose, the country is carving out its own unique identity on the global stage.

National Museum of Qatar, Museum Park St, Doha, Qatar; +974 4452 5555