Kuwait - Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Palace

The Palace of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Al-Sabah is a heritage site in the State of Kuwait. It is situated in the eastern part of Kuwait city, Dasman area, besides Dasman Palace, near the Arabian Gulf coast. 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.