Information
Landmark: Al Shahaniya MuseumCity: Shahaniya
Country: Qatar
Continent: Asia
Al Shahaniya Museum, Shahaniya, Qatar, Asia
Overview
The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, or FBQ Museum, is a privately owned collection set in the Al Samriya area of Al Shahaniya, about 20 kilometers west of Doha, where the desert road leads past palm groves to its gates.Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani founded the museum in 1998, and today it stretches across 530,000 square meters, with three main buildings rising from the grounds.The museum holds more than 15,000 artifacts, arranged into themed sections, with the Qatari Heritage area displaying pearl-diving tools worn smooth by use, intricate dhow models, and handmade Bedouin crafts that tell stories of the nation’s vibrant past.The museum showcases a rich collection of Islamic art, from intricate textiles and hand-painted manuscripts to luminous oil paintings, each piece capturing the depth and breadth of Islamic heritage.In this section, you’ll see ancient silver and gold coins-some worn smooth by centuries of handling-spanning from the pre-Islamic era to today, showing how currency in the region has evolved.The museum showcases an impressive lineup of vehicles-sleek cars from as far back as 1885, along with sturdy bicycles and roaring motorcycles-telling the story of how transportation has evolved through the decades.Beyond its remarkable collections, the museum complex also features the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Mosque, a striking building set at a deliberate four-degree tilt-its pale stone walls leaning just enough to recall the famous tower in Pisa.Al Samriya Estate: The museum sits within a sprawling property that also holds a shady date farm, a lively riding school, and an oryx reserve devoted to protecting Qatar’s national treasure-the Arabian oryx.You’ll find the museum in Al Samriya, Al Shahaniya, Qatar, about a 40‑minute drive from Doha along Dukhan Road, where the desert stretches out in pale gold on either side.We’re open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., though hours can change on public holidays-sometimes the lights come on a little later or shut off earlier.For the latest details, check the official website-it’s like glancing at a fresh bulletin pinned to the board.Admission fees: Adults pay QR 50; groups of 10 or more, QR 35 each; students and young adults ages 13–22, seniors 65+, teachers, museum professionals, Culture Pass Plus holders, and family members, QR 30; children under 12, ICOM members, visitors with disabilities and their caretakers, press, and tour guides enter free.While you’re at the FBQ Museum, take a short drive to the Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack and catch the thud of hooves as camels thunder past in this centuries-old Qatari sport.Most Fridays from November to February, the races kick off-cold air, bright lights, and the crowd pressed close to the track.Al Samriya Estate: Step past the museum and you’ll find yourself in the heart of traditional Qatari life - a sunlit date farm, a lively riding school, and an oryx reserve dedicated to protecting the rare antelope that proudly serves as Qatar’s national emblem.At the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, you’ll step into Qatar’s rich past and browse treasures gathered by one of its most influential figures, from gleaming swords to faded maps, making it a must for anyone who loves history or culture.
