|
|
|
SOUK
AL ARSAH
Souk Al Arsah (Courtyard Souk) is one of the oldest
popular souks in the UAE. In general and in Sharjah
Emirate in particular, the 'Arsah' is a large open
space (courtyard) in between residential areas such
as Al Naboodah house (Sharjah Heritage Museum and
Ibrahim Al Midfa house). The old souk of Al Arsah
is dated back to more than half century and said to
be a well known station for a great number of commercial
ships and boats coming from Persia and India, in addition
to many Arab tribes visiting with different types
of goods for wholesale, retail or exchange. This economic
activity led to the flourish and prosperity of the
whole area. |
|
| This souk also represents
a meeting place for those who worked in pearl diving.
They all gather to make their agreements and exchange
information regarding their activities. In the meantime
most of the visitors are tourists who usually visit
the souk to acquire and buy antiques and old artifacts. |
 |
| The souk which was reopened
in 1995 comprises a very large number of small and large
shops counting about 83 shops. In fact the exhibits
in these shops vary between brass, silver, handicrafts,
as well as jewellery, local garments, medical herbs,
traditional articles made of wood and other collections
made of ivory. Moreover there are the traditional weapons
such as swords and daggers. Coins and small samples
of the ships and boats used in the past days are also
on display. The Souk Al Arsah is favoured by the existence
of a public coffee shop that offers the popular food,
sweets, tea and Arabian coffee. |
| Access to the
Souk could be made through four gates provided with
four traditional wooden doors. These gates were known
to be opened early after Al Fajr prayer and closed after
Al Magrib prayer. Nothing was changed in the shape
of this old souk. It was only rebuilt with the local
material and left as it was in its old design. |
 |
Timings:
9 am to 1 pm & 5pm to 8 pm (Open on all days including
holidays)
Contacts: Tel:00971 6 5357711
Website: http://www.sharjahmuseum.com |
|
© Copyright Department of Culture
& Information 2004
|
|
|
