• Volcano Fountain Dating from the 1980s, the Volcano Fountain was one of the most distinctive in the city and, with its dominating position on the point where Muroor Road met the Corniche, was a focal point in the lives of generations of Abu Dhabians. It was demolished in 2004, another victim of the development of the Corniche.
    Volcano Fountain Dating from the 1980s, the Volcano Fountain was one of the most distinctive in the city and, with its dominating position on the point where Muroor Road met the Corniche, was a focal point in the lives of generations of Abu Dhabians. It was demolished in 2004, another victim of the development of the Corniche.
  • Dolphins in Hamdan St These dolphins formed part of a park that once extended from the end of Airport Road to Hamdan Street, but was closed to make way for the construction of the underpass. Instead a series of dramatic new monuments were conceived, which can be seen today: a cannon, coffee pot, incense burner and fort tower that are among the gigantic symbols of the UAE in Ittihad Square.
    Dolphins in Hamdan St These dolphins formed part of a park that once extended from the end of Airport Road to Hamdan Street, but was closed to make way for the construction of the underpass. Instead a series of dramatic new monuments were conceived, which can be seen today: a cannon, coffee pot, incense burner and fort tower that are among the gigantic symbols of the UAE in Ittihad Square.
  • Summit Fountain Built in the 1980s, this fountain was once a major feature of Abu Dhabi. The crown featured the flags of each of the GCC nations: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE, which hosted the inaugural meeting of the GCC at the InterContinental Hotel in May 1981. It went the way of the Volcano Fountain and the Clock Tower Roundabout in 2004, demolished as part of the expansion of the Corniche.
    Summit Fountain Built in the 1980s, this fountain was once a major feature of Abu Dhabi. The crown featured the flags of each of the GCC nations: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE, which hosted the inaugural meeting of the GCC at the InterContinental Hotel in May 1981. It went the way of the Volcano Fountain and the Clock Tower Roundabout in 2004, demolished as part of the expansion of the Corniche.
  • Cedar Fountain A gift from the Lebanese people, this fountain is one of the oldest in the city and depicts one of Lebanon's iconic ­cedar trees. It stands outside Le ­Méridien hotel, but was once the gateway to the original Tourist Club. In recent years the fountain has been dry as a result of roadworks but this year the water has been switched back on.
    Cedar Fountain A gift from the Lebanese people, this fountain is one of the oldest in the city and depicts one of Lebanon's iconic ­cedar trees. It stands outside Le ­Méridien hotel, but was once the gateway to the original Tourist Club. In recent years the fountain has been dry as a result of roadworks but this year the water has been switched back on.
  • Seen here looming out of the mist, the Volcano Fountain was one of the most well-known landmarks in the city and dominated its surroundings.
    Seen here looming out of the mist, the Volcano Fountain was one of the most well-known landmarks in the city and dominated its surroundings.
  • Airport Park Waterfall Abu Dhabi’s answer to Niagara Falls is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Originally designed in the 1980s, it is the centrepiece of Airport Park, to be found on the outskirts of the international airport before the entrance to Terminal 1. The park is not to be confused with the old Airport Gardens, named after the city’s original international airport, now known as Al Bateen Executive Airport.
    Airport Park Waterfall Abu Dhabi’s answer to Niagara Falls is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Originally designed in the 1980s, it is the centrepiece of Airport Park, to be found on the outskirts of the international airport before the entrance to Terminal 1. The park is not to be confused with the old Airport Gardens, named after the city’s original international airport, now known as Al Bateen Executive Airport.
  • Clock Tower Roundabout Abu Dhabi’s Clock Tower Round­about was one of the city’s most photographed attractions, with its fountains and four falcons supporting the timepiece. Its demise was brought about by the expansion of the Corniche and highway construction. A ­piazza now marks the spot where the monument once stood, now many metres from the water’s edge.
    Clock Tower Roundabout Abu Dhabi’s Clock Tower Round­about was one of the city’s most photographed attractions, with its fountains and four falcons supporting the timepiece. Its demise was brought about by the expansion of the Corniche and highway construction. A ­piazza now marks the spot where the monument once stood, now many metres from the water’s edge.
  • Here is a photo of Ramesh Menon's wife and son in front of the Volcano fountain in 2002.
    Here is a photo of Ramesh Menon's wife and son in front of the Volcano fountain in 2002.
  • A part of the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
    A part of the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
  • Here is a photo of Ramesh Menon's wife and son in front of the fountain in 2002..
    Here is a photo of Ramesh Menon's wife and son in front of the fountain in 2002..

Heritage

In pictures: Old landmarks of Abu Dhabi

The National staff

November 29, 2013

  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi’s Volcano Fountain was not the only great landmark in Abu Dhabi. Here are others, with some that have now been remodelled or demolished.

UAE