As mentioned previously, the city is sprawling, with venues scattered all across the municipality. Most of these are close to the coast and are connected to the metro, tram and bus system. It’s the metro I try out for the first time as I decide to explore beautiful Katara Cultural Village & beach in Doha Qatar.
Getting There
Hop on the metro anywhere in the city and connect to the red line if not already on it. Get off at the ‘Katara’ stop and emerge into the commercial portion of the venue. Don’t be dismayed by what you first see, walk through the massive outdoor shopping mall and district, the gem of Katara is what lies behind that.
What is Katara Cultural Village?
Having many purposes, the main one being to showcase the culture and arts of the country of Qatar. Also used as a bridge between the modern city and its history, visitors will see everything from the European style shopping complex mentioned above, to old low-rise sand-coloured buildings of centuries past.
A few of the venues on this huge property include two manmade hilly parks, a 5,000-seat reproduction roman amphitheatre, two mosques, art galleries, a large conference hall, a planetarium, library and historical objects, statues and fountains.
Shopping
Galleries Lafayette is the large department store that you see initially upon exiting the Metro, behind that is a massive toy store with a red present and transformers guarding the front entrance.
Behind these is 21 High Street, where opulence and luxury shopping meet outdoor art exhibits. The current one couldn’t be more fitting for what is transpiring in the region as I write. Called Building Bridges by Lorenzo Quinn, it is a series of hands clasping in friendship, a tunnel of peace if you will.
Mosques
Two beautiful ones, my favourite being the smaller structure covered with ornate blue and purple tiles. Visitors can enter this one to see the prayer hall and learn about Islam.
Pigeon Towers
There are two sets, and these are something that really intrigue me. One day I hope to see original ones, but for now these reproductions suffice. Used historical as a way to collect pigeon poop that was then used as fertilizer, they also provided a safe haven for the birds.
Pigeons were also used by Bedouins as a valuable source of communication, so providing a place for their protection was paramount. The wooden sticks are called bristles and the holes used for nesting. Original ones date back centuries and can be seen all across the Middle East.
The Planetarium
Walking and exploring the length of the village, this unassuming building was a door I found open. I walk inside and immediately see a large model of the moon. Behind that is a small education area. To the left of the front desk is a solar model suspended from the ceiling. Anything beyond these front rooms seems currently closed to visitors.
Amphitheatre & Common Space
The theatre itself is currently blocked off from entering, the best I could see was the grassy knoll directly in front. Filled with stage lights and equipment, its possibly set up for a night time show right now. Directly across is a wide-open space and then a huge staircase painted with a beautiful mural. There is not a lot of shade in this part of the village so it was almost devoid of people in the middle of the day.
Murals & Art
Walking around extensively, it’s lovely to see large and small murals and depictions of cultural heritage. From a massive Arabian horse to a meeting of friends over a football and everything in-between. These pieces add colour and vibrancy to large walls that are otherwise empty and bland.
Statues pop up here and there, some quite unique and large too. These three in particular, constructed of recycled kitchen utensils are intriguing.
The Beach!
Besides the pigeon towers, this was my favourite part of Katara. A 1.5 kilometer stretch of manicured sand and beach club spaces absolutely empty in the middle of the day. Walking around as much as I did, I could not find a section that was open on which to enter the sand and touch the water.
I will say the scene is incredibly picturesque. Look one direction and see the towering skyscrapers of West Bay all lined up behind the reproduction Bedouin tents and palm frond umbrellas. Look the other direction, out to sea, and the turquoise waters are full of old wooden dows. Wow, such a gorgeous sight.
Definitely visit Katara Cultural Village on your next visit to Doha. When its not Ramadan, cafes and that beautiful food hall with the stained-glass ceiling will be open. There is so much to see and take in, lots of space for kiddos to run. Beautiful art, unique sculpture, an interesting place within the city to explore.
