Nature, Updated, at the Al Shaheed Park
Located on the edge of Kuwait City, the Al Shaheed Park is the largest urban park in Kuwait. For those looking to experience nature, history and culture, all in one place, make sure that you include a visit to the park while you are exploring Kuwait.
The History of the Park
The area that the Al Shaheed Park is in was originally created in 1964, with the aim of it being a formal Green Belt Park. As this grew into a garden, the area experienced quite a bit of renovation and development over the years, after which it was turned into the Al Shaheed Park, along with the aim of commemorating the country’s martyrs.
The Park’s Museums
The Al-Shaheed Park is home to two museums, both of which are worth touring if you are already going to be visiting the park anyway. The first is the Thekra Museum, which is a memorial museum that educates visitors on Kuwait’s history, including the battles that the country experienced, as well as the Gulf War. The second museum is the Habitat Museum, which is an environmental museum that aims to preserve and showcase the local environment and wildlife of Kuwait. This museum is quite a new one, as it was only inaugurated at the beginning of this year, but already has a wide array of geographical and environmental exhibits.
Historical Highlights of the Al Shaheed Park
There are a number of historical monuments dotted around Al Shaheed Park, which you will see as you make your way around the grounds. From the old city gates, which are in the exact same place that they were when they were first put up in the late 1800’s, to the Constitution Monument and the Martyrs Monument, you can learn so much about Kuwait’s history simply by taking a stroll around the Al Shaheed Park.
The Underground Tunnel
Lying beneath the Al Shaheed Park is a long underground tunnel, which was built in order to connect Kuwait’s green belt. This tunnel has now been completely renovated, and features a number of pieces of art, as well as three-dimensional Portuguese tiles that light up the passageway in vibrant shades of blue and green.
Other Facilities at the Park
In addition to the museums and historical monuments, there are plenty of other things to do at the Al Shaheed Park. The open-air amphitheater is where you can catch a number of live performances and special events, while the gift shop and book shop are always fun to explore, especially if you are looking for a unique souvenir to take home with you. Of course, be sure to stop off at one of the park’s restaurants or cafés if you are looking for a bite to eat, as they serve up tasty local food.
The Al Shaheed Park sprawls out for almost 20 hectares, and just about every area within it has been recently refurbished and updated. While the hustle and bustle of Kuwait City is always exciting, there will come a time when you need some tranquillity, making the Al Shaheed Park the perfect escape to head to.