Brief
Historic aerial panorama shows Abu Dhabi before Al Maryah’s rise
National Library and Archives UAE released a stitched 1968 aerial view that captures the city before Al Maryah Island’s transformation.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A composite of 44 aerial photographs taken in 1968, now held by the National Library and Archives UAE, offers a rare bird’s‑eye view of Abu Dhabi before the development of Al Maryah Island into a financial district, Khaleej Times reported.
What happened
The library’s archive contains a stitched panorama that shows a stretch of coastline, the historic Qasr Al Hosn, the old town, and open land where today’s towers, hotels and the Al Maryah business hub now stand. The image also captures the early form of Mina Port, the largely undeveloped Saadiyat Island, and the absence of many roads, islands and landmarks that dominate the modern skyline.
What the report adds
According to the article, the panorama was assembled from 44 separate photographs to create a sweeping view of the capital in 1968. It highlights that at that time the first proper bridge at Maqta had not yet been built and Abu Dhabi’s first international airport was still unopened. The National Library and Archives building itself now sits on reclaimed land, underscoring how the city’s physical boundaries have shifted dramatically.
What was said
Justin Codrai, a senior expert at the National Library and Archives, told Khaleej Times that aerial photography “does not simply show what Abu Dhabi looked like; it can reveal how the city was assembled.” He described the 1968 view as “a very different city.”
How it came about
The archive’s collection was digitised as part of ongoing efforts to preserve the UAE’s visual heritage. Earlier Felo News coverage highlighted Abu Dhabi’s broader vision for livability and development, noting leaders’ emphasis on transforming the emirate’s urban landscape (Abu Dhabi leaders stress livability and opportunity in keynote speech). The new aerial panorama provides a visual counterpart to those policy goals, illustrating the scale of change from the late 1960s to today’s Al Maryah district.
Key facts
- The National Library and Archives UAE holds a stitched 44‑image aerial panorama taken in 1968. (khaleejtimes.com)
- The panorama shows the coastline, Qasr Al Hosn, the old town and undeveloped Saadiyat Island before Al Maryah’s development. (khaleejtimes.com)
- In 1968 the first bridge at Maqta and the first international airport had not yet been built. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Justin Codrai said aerial photography reveals how the city was assembled. (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah taking shape, Sheikh Zayed in Rome: Photos reveal 1900s UAE story”
