Discovering Qatar’s Rich Culture and Art Scene
Once sparsely inhabited by nomadic Bedouin, Qatar is now home to more than 2.5 million people, with permanent tourism, art, and architecture communities. Where once there were no large buildings, the Doha skyline today is a line of skyscrapers representing the most modern of aesthetics.
However, despite its growth and prosperity, Qatar hasn’t let go of its traditions and culture, which is evident in all facets of Qatari life. Everywhere you turn, a blend of Bedouin traditions, soaring modern art, striking architecture, and sustainable ingenuity provides a rich cultural experience.
The Khalifa International Stadium
With the World Cup coming to the country in 2022, even football stadiums are getting into the act. The games will be held in arenas with striking modern designs, where lavish, yet traditional motifs abound, and games are already being played. There’s even a football stadium made completely of shipping containers that can be taken apart and reassembled after the match.
You will be stunned by the way the new has been integrated with the old so perfectly they become one – featuring both uber-modern buildings and historical sites, a rich contemporary art scene, and iconic masterpieces.
National Museum of Qatar
The showcase of the country’s art and architecture scene is undoubtedly the spectacular National Museum of Qatar. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, the NMoQ symbolizes Qatar’s deep relationship with the desert, its flora and fauna, and the country’s traditions. The façade of the NMoQ is inspired by the desert rose, an aggregate of minerals that emerges from the desert when wind, sand, and saltwater combine and take on a flower-like look. Each curved disc, angle, and intersection of the building’s design is unique – a tangle of visual elements that evokes feelings of wonder.
Inside, the museum tells the story of Qatar and its people as three different ‘chapters’: Beginnings, Life in Qatar, and Building the Nation. A walk through the museum follows a route through interactive exhibits, artwork, music, and storytelling, culminating at the old palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani. The museum is built around this restored palace, where Qatar’s third ruler governed from 1913 to 1949.
You’ll learn about desert life and the animals that thrive here, gaining a sense of their significance in Qatar’s history. You’ll catch a glimpse of Qatar’s prehistoric background, seeing artifacts from sites such as Al Jassasiya, Murwab, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al Zubarah Fort, learning how they fit into the history of Qatar. Most of all, you’ll discover the context behind the forces driving Qatar into a new era.
Museum of Islamic Art
Nearby is another iconic Doha masterpiece, the Museum of Islamic Art, which epitomizes cultural traditions and Islamic beauty. The MIA was designed by famed architect I.M. Pei, who was persuaded to come out of retirement for this project. Not wanting to use any of the sites proposed for the museum, Pei built the museum on a standalone island on the Corniche, ensuring its grandeur is preserved.
Pei’s design was inspired by an ablution fountain in the 9th-century Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo. The MIA combines that structure’s traditional design with the opulence of later Islamic architecture. The interior exudes as much grandeur as the exterior, with subtle geometric patterns that have been integral to Islamic art for centuries – believed to conjure a sense of unending repetition, representing the infinite nature of Allah.
The five floors of the museum house a collection of Islamic art that spans centuries. Each exhibit is specially curated to provide insight into Islamic culture.
MIA Park
One of the most beautiful green spaces along the Doha waterfront is the Museum of Islamic Art Park, where you’ll find artist Richard Serra’s monumental 7 sculpture. The seven steel plates soaring 78ft in the air celebrate the significance of the number seven in Islamic and Arab culture.
The number seven holds tradition across various aspects of Islamic life, appearing repeatedly in significant religious practices. It remains omnipresent in cultural and spiritual contexts, including structural features in art and architecture.
Nearby stands Folded Extracted Personified by British artist Liam Gillick. This engaging art installation consists of ten different structures with irregular shapes and abstract images, evoking happiness and nostalgia.
MIA Park, adjacent to the Museum of Islamic Art, is a lush green expanse made of hills and surrounded by trees, offering a tranquil escape for families. It features two main playgrounds suitable for different age groups. No bikes or animals are permitted, contributing to a peaceful environment for visitors.
Msheireb Downtown and the Doha Skyline
Msheireb Downtown is one of Qatar’s newest destinations, claiming to be one of the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration projects. Doha’s historic downtown hub has been reimagined into a planned, contemporary architectural marvel that retains traditional elements while redefining urban luxury living.
You’ll discover eclectic cafes and restaurants that showcase diverse cuisines, including Italian, British, Chinese, Japanese, Sri Lankan, and Qatari. Msheireb is also home to the Doha Design District, a platform for local, regional, and international designers.
Msheireb Museums
Just nearby, the Msheireb Museums consist of four traditional Qatari houses, each preserving unique stories about Qatar’s evolution. The museums offer insights into the themes of slavery before Islam, family life, the oil industry’s history, and the evolution of urban living.
The Radwani House, built in the 1920s, connects the past to the present, showcasing changes that have accompanied Qatar’s socio-economic growth. The design of the surrounding area reflects the evolution of urban planning in Qatar.
Exploring the Doha Skyline
As you explore the area, be sure to look up at the Doha skyline, adorned with innovative architectural designs. Key highlights include Nouvel’s award-winning Doha Tower, which reflects Islamic culture through its geometric-patterned facade, and the Tornado Tower, an hourglass-shaped landmark symbolizing progress in Qatar.
Moreover, the hexagon-shaped Palm Tower signifies durability in harsh desert conditions, while the Barzan Tower merges traditional style with modern architecture, showcasing concrete arches and traditional domes that give way to a contemporary vision as the building rises.
Katara Cultural Village
No visit would be complete without exploring Katara Cultural Village, where each structure reflects Qatar’s rich heritage. The bird tower with its mud facade stands as a photographic landmark and a representation of traditional building methods.
The stunning Blue Mosque adorned with Persian and Turkish tiles invites visitors to experience not just architectural beauty but also spiritual depth. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome to enter when it’s not prayer time, offering a glimpse into Islamic traditions.
Murals throughout the district depict the cultural traditions of Qatar, and walking through the “Al Fereej” alleyways leads you to the Greek-inspired Amphitheatre, reminiscent of an old Qatari marketplace.
The Pearl
The Pearl represents a breathtaking architectural achievement featuring a mix of luxury residential towers and retail spaces, evoking a sense of the Mediterranean. The marina offers a picturesque view with luxury yachts lining its shores, perfect for enjoying exquisite dining experiences.
The Qanat Quartier, with its charming multi-colored buildings, delivers an ambiance reminiscent of European streets. Visitors can enjoy unique experiences like the piano stairs, which add an interactive element to the vibrant atmosphere of this elegant district.
Education City Mosque and Mathaf
The luxuriously designed Education City Mosque merges traditional and contemporary styles beautifully. Its calligraphed minarets symbolize the five pillars of Islam, illustrating the relationship between Islamic faith and modern architecture.
Adjacent to the mosque is the Quranic Botanic Garden, showcasing plants and trees mentioned in the Quran along with others that thrive in Qatar. This garden emphasizes the harmony between architecture and Islamic art.
Moreover, while in Education City, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Mathaf, the Arab Museum of Modern Art. Its engaging layout and extensive collection present a rich tapestry of Arabian art across various historical periods, cementing it as a premier destination for art enthusiasts.
