Mathaf: Arab Museum Of Modern Art

 Museums

Considering Doha is attempting to become something of a regional cultural hub, the current state of its museums is somewhat shambolic. Many museums are under seem-ingly never-ending refurbishment, the opening hours are not particularly tourist friendly, websites lack practical in-formation such as opening times and location, and many museums require you to phone in advance for a special appointment (which can make the solo visitor feel some-what uncomfortable as the curator opens up just for one person).Museum of Islamic Arts, Next to Doha Port, on the Corniche (Route 76 bus; shuttle bus), ☎ +974 4422 4444. S M W 10:30AM-5:30PM; Th Sa 12-8PM; F 2-8PM; Tu closed. Doha’s flagship mu-seum. Housed in a building designed by I.M. Pei, the museum hosts artefacts from Muslim dynasties all over Asia, Africa and Europe. Also present are items from the Al-Thani dynasty, as well as art from all parts of the Middle East. Gloriously air condi-tioned, there is also a cafe and gift shop. The per-manent exhibition is on the 2nd and 3rd floors, with temporary exhibitions on the ground floor. Free wi-fi in the museum building, dress appropriately. An hourly shuttle service provides free transportation between MIA and Mathaf W-Su 11AM-5PM; driv-ing time between the two museums is 25-35 min-utes. Free.


Mathaf: Arab Museum Of Modern Art, Al Luqta St, Education City (shuttle bus), ☎ +974 4402 8855, e-mail: mathaf_info@qma.org.qa. Sa-Th 11AM-6PM, F 3-9PM, M closed. A specially de-signed building housing a collection of modern art from the Arab world, based on a personal collection amassed by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The museum also hosts occasional exhibits featur-ing internationally-recognized contemporary artists. An hourly shuttle service provides free transporta-tion between MIA and Mathaf W-Su 11AM-5PM; driving time between the two museums is 25-35 minutes. Free.

National Museum of Qatar, End of Al Muthaf St. Currently closed and due to open December 2014. The original museum was housed in an early 20th-century palace; its extension, now under construc-tion, was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and inspired by the desert sand rose. The extension and original palace can both still be viewed from the outside.

Weaponry Museum, Al Luqta area, ☎ +974 486 7473. The museum houses a spectacular display of weapons and artifacts dating back to the 16th century. The collection has magnificent ceremo-nial swords that belonged to members of the Gulf’s ruling families: an 18th-century gold-encased dag-ger owned by Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani; a sword belonging to King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia; and a khanjar (traditional curved dagger) carried by the famed Lawrence of Arabia. The beauty and rarity of this collection bears witness to craftsmanship that has been lost for generations. Open mornings, Sunday to Thursday, by appointment only, after obtaining a letter of au-thorisation from the Museums Authority. Free.

Orientalist Museum, Off Al Muthaf St (Mirqab),