After Failaka (2013) and Kuwait Towers (2014), another local site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list this year, Khaza’al Palace, now renamed to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Palace.
This site was built in the early Twentieth Century by Sheikh Khazaal Bin Mirdaw, Ruler of Muhammarah (1897 – 1925 ) on a piece of land which he received as a gift from Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Ruler (1896-1915). After Sheikh Khazaal’s death, it was bought by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Al- Sabah who took it as a family residence, thereafter converted it to the first national museum in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf region, after which it remained as the property of his heirs until it was taken over by the State and rated as a high preservation building.
When it was built and for many decades thereafter, the Palace was reported to be the most magnificent structure in Kuwait. Patterned on regional antecedents, it was large, elaborate two storey structure in coral stone and mud brick in a stark contrast to Kuwait’s primarily single storey, austere architecture.
The palace is currently in a very poor state and so UNESCO is proposing the following:
In order to save the property from further deterioration, urgent steps are required to be taken, especially with regard to the original crumbling site of the Palace. This measure should be undertaken in coordination with the operational guidelines of the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. This may be followed by considering the addition of a modest Education and Culture Museum building in the surrounding area which may be devoted to fully express the site’s value to present and future generations. Further, the grounds need to be rehabilitated and the ancillary buildings are required to be activated.
For more information check out this link on UNESCO [Link]
Thanks Khaled
14 replies on “Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Palace could become another local World Heritage Site”
hope so, we need more historics in Kuwait.
Berlin has done a lot of rebuilding of their destroyed/almost destroyed landmarks to their original states. Kuwait can do the same, but with a twist. Open a restaurant with Kuwaiti fusion food and have a small corner dedicated the history and culture, with appropriate décor for selfies.
You’re such a lame ass troll. I’m no longer going to approve any of your comments unless they have some substance. So basically you can stop wasting your time commenting here.
I will come back with another IP and nickname so…
You can come back with as many nicknames and IPs as you want but as long as you’re trolling your comments won’t get approved.
Great post, btw may somebody please post a link to this place on google maps?
https://goo.gl/maps/RfGPuSbcGzM2
Let the guy stay mark, he didn’t cuss or offend anyone, I found his comment both entertaining and enlightning, please keep him bro and be extra generous.
Yay! Building by building, step by step, some historic locations are being saved, finally!
Kuwait has/had some great old buildings that should be restored. They demonstrate rich character unlike the crap that gets built these days. Same goes with the building across the street.
cheers Mark!
I always try to drive by it and the building across from it and look at whats left of the buildings and then get all worked up and mad about how they or everyone in kuwait could even let it get to this state.
Why would they change the name?
I recently passed by this building and it is being restored, but will it be a museum?