Hatta Heritage Village

Armed with the Off-Road UAE guidebook, we set out Saturday for Hatta, about 100 km from Dubai. The drive was very scenic, changing from Dubai cityscape, to suburban desert, to sand dunes, and finally into the Hajar mountain range. The route was a modern multi-lane super highway with a posted speed limit of 120 km/hr.
(We passed a truck with a camel in the back!)

Hatta Heritage Village was opened to the public in 2001 after extensive renovation. The fortress was built in 1896 to provide protection for the viceroy and as a meeting place to dicuss social, economic and political affairs.




(The "bucket" hanging at the well was made from leather)


(On the left is a model of the Fort, on the right, a view from the hill overlooking the village.)


Hatta is located in an oasis, and there are many dry riverbeds, or wadis, in the area. The recent rains have left lots of puddles and filled up the cisterns. This garden was thriving. The white speck in the upper right corner is the gardner tending the crops!


(View of the Hatta Mountains)