The public will be able to take a glimpse inside the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi for the first time next week, The National reported.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, announced on Monday that a building in the palace compound, named Qasr Al Watan – or Palace of the Nation – will open for visitors to take part in tours.

The decision to create the new cultural landmark, he said, came from the President Sheikh Khalifa in the bid to boost cultural understanding of the UAE.

The doors to Qasr Al Watan will open everyday from 12pm on March 11. The permanent cultural landmark will then open daily from 10am - 8pm. The tour will show visitors a library that is home to vast collection of books and resources about the Emirates political, social and cultural history.

Visitors will also be able to experience interactive cultural exhibitions. In the west wing, they will learn about the formation of the UAE and its governance, and have access to halls typically reserved for official summits. Within the House of Knowledge in the east wing, visitors can explore a vast collection of artefacts and rare manuscripts that highlight the Arab world’s contributions to various intellectual fields including science, arts, humanities and literature.

In the evening, visitors will enjoy a light and sound show which will be projected onto the facade of the building.