Museum sights in Middle East
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Kuwait House of National Memorial Museum
This innovative museum encapsulates the horror of the Iraqi invasion and honours the sacrifices that ordinary Kuwaiti citizens, the Kuwaiti military and the allies made in order to beat back Sadam's forces. The exhibits comprise a set of well-crafted models of the city that are illuminated in time with an audio recording in English.
Despite the nationalist propaganda, the experience of walking through the darkened corridors, lit only by simulated gun blasts and mortar attacks, and focusing on the heroism of the few for the safety of the many, has a contemporary resonance that transcends the exhibit's narrow remit. The museum is best reached by taxi and can be combined…
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A
Bahrain National Museum
Deserving its reputation as the most popular tourist attraction in Bahrain, the Bahrain National Museum is the best place to start for an intriguing, well-labelled introduction to the sights of the country. It's housed in a fine, post-modern building with landscaping that brings the waterfront location up to the windows.
The museum showcases archaeological finds from ancient Dilmun and includes beautiful agate and carnelian beads and earthenware burial jars - used for the body as well as its chattels. It also outlines the history of pearl fishing with a delightful diorama of a dhow, complete with divers and pullers, sharks and angel fish. There is also a section with…
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B
Sharjah Heritage Museum
Next door to the Islamic Museum, the Sharjah Heritage Museum, has similar traditional exhibits to Bait Sheikh Sultan Bin Saquer al-Qassimi though without the wind towers, but it is still worth a look. Wednesday admission is for women only, all day.
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Bihzad Museum
Contains paintings by the artist Bihzad.
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Farshchian Museum
Specialises in the works of Mahmoud Farshchian.
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C
Children's Museum
Well-signposted, domed building with lots of hands-on science displays.
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D
Crib Museum
The nativity-scene spectacle at the Crib Museum is a short walk off Manger Sq.
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Ethnographical Museum
The Ethnographical Museum is near the main entrance to the Golestan Palace complex.
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Mir Emad Calligraphy Museum
The Mir Emad Calligraphy Museum houses samples of Iranian calligraphy from different periods.
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E
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art shows temporary exhibits, mainly of Esfahani artists.
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Quran Museum
Its most intriguing exhibit is the scripture-covered under-shirt worn by Qajar monarchs during coronations.
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Abkar Miniature Museum
The Abkar Miniature Museum is a small, specialist museum that displays miniatures by the artist Clara Abkar.
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Museum of Ethnological Research
The Museum of Ethnological Research is a small, specialist museum with a waxworks and ethnological artefacts.
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Military Museum
The Military Museum is housed inside and around another palace that belonged to the shah's nephew Shahram; just look for the helicopter.
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G
Wolfson Museum
The Wolfson Museum, housed inside the massive building, features presentations of religious and traditional Jewish life.
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Bayt Az-Zubair
In a beautifully restored house, the museum Bayt Az-Zubair exhibits Omani heritage in photographs and displays of traditional handicrafts and furniture.
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Natural History Museum
From fossils to dinosaurs to desert plants, the Natural History Museum takes you through the region’s ecosystems and back millions of years in time.
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Military Museum
The Military Museum was closed at the time of research and seemed unlikely to ever open again, but it's worth cruising past and checking just in case.
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J
Ethnographical Museum
Upstairs on the 1st floor is the Ethnographical Museum, which has a musty and poorly displayed collection of traditional dress from across the country.
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K
Museum of the Political History of Hm Late King Abdullah bin al-Hussein
This museum is worth checking out for its coverage of Jordan’s political life in the early 20th century. It’s next to the Iraqi Embassy, west of 1st Circle.
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Last Ditch Battle of the Jewish Quarter Museum
The Last Ditch Battle of the Jewish Quarter Museum documents the 1948 campaign for control over the city. It's close to the large menorah near the southern end of the Cardo.
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Old Bethlehem Museum
Old Bethlehem Museum will transport you through time to a typical Palestinian home of the 19th century. See native costumes; purchase embroidery produced by the Arab Women's Union.
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Museum on the Seam
Conflict, prejudice, racism (and occasional coexistence) are on display at the Museum on the Seam, a socio-political/contemporary-art museum that pulls no punches.
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Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is in one of the more impressive buildings and houses some charming Persian oil paintings dating back to the 18th century and some beautiful inlaid furniture.
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O
Beit HaGefen Arab-Jewish Centre
The Beit HaGefen Arab-Jewish Centre sponsors joint Arab-Jewish social activities. It could be worth a visit - check to see if there are any social events or lectures during your stay.
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