Al Fahidi Fort (Arabic: حصن الفهيدي), the original tower built in 1787, is the oldest existing building in Dubai and was originally built to defend the town of Dubai which grew up along the banks of the creek. The fort was expanded over the years, mostly in the 1830s to 1850s under the rule of Late Sheikh Maktoum Bin Buti, to its current form with 3 towers on 3 of its for corners.
Constructed of mortar and coral from the shallow waters of the creek it formed part of a defensive wall around the original town. Parts of the original wall can still be seen in front of the fort, and parts of the wall in the Bastakiya have been excavated for display.
It currently houses the Dubai Museum which opened in 1970.
