| Mezyad | |
| Other Name: | Mazyad |
| Native Name: | Arabic: مَزْيَد |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Translit Lang1 Type: | Arabic |
| Translit Lang1 Info: | مَزْيَد |
| Pushpin Map: | UAE#Persian Gulf#Middle East#West Asia |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Pushpin Relief: | yes |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Mezyad in the U.A.E. |
| Government Type: | Absolute monarchy |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United Arab Emirates |
| Subdivision Type1: | Emirate |
| Subdivision Name1: | Abu Dhabi |
| Subdivision Type2: | Municipal region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Al-Ain |
| Leader Title: | Sheikh |
| Leader Name: | Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Leader Title1: | Ruler's Representative of the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi |
| Leader Name1: | Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan |
| Area Total Km2: | 15,100 |
| Population As Of: | 2017 |
| Population Total: | 766,936 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Utc Offset: | +4 |
| Timezone: | UAE Standard Time |
| Coordinates: | 24.0211°N 55.8333°W |
Mezyad (Arabic: مَزْيَد|Mazyad)[1] [2] is a settlement in the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to the south of the main part of Al Ain City, on the border of the U.A.E. and Oman. It is known for having a historical fort,[3] [4] and is part of a desert park, which also includes a necropolis and Mount Hafeet nearby. The park can be called either "Mezyad Desert Park"[5] or "Jebel Hafeet Desert Park".[3]
See also: History of the United Arab Emirates and List of cultural property of national significance in the United Arab Emirates.
As a region, Al-Ain has been inhabited for over 7 millennia, as demonstrated by archeological finds. In particular, there are tombs shaped as beehives in the area of Mezyad, at the base of Jebel Hafeet, which date back to the Hafit period of the Early Bronze Age, besides[3] [6] In the 1950s, Sheikh Zayed, who would become the founding President of the United Arab Emirates, discovered the tombs, and brought this to the attention of a Danish team, leading to an excavation at the tombs in 1959. In 1971, Al Ain Museum was built to house items from this area. In the 2000s, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage lobbied for its recognition as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2011, Al-Ain became the first World Heritage Site in the UAE to be recognized by UNESCO.[7]
See also: List of cultural property of national significance in the United Arab Emirates, List of tourist attractions in the United Arab Emirates and Qasr Al Muwaiji.
| Mezyad Fort | |
| Native Name: | Qalʿat Mazyad (Arabic: قَلْعَة مَزْيَد) |
| Location: | Al Ain Region |
| Coordinates: | 24.0211°N 55.8333°W |
| Map Type: | UAE#Persian Gulf#West Asia |
| Map Size: | 265 |
| Map Relief: | 1 |
| Built: | Possibly in the 19th century |
(Arabic: قَلْعَة مَزْيَد|Qalʿat Mazyad) is a historical fort located to the east of Jebel Hafeet, and near the Hafit tombs of the Early Bronze Age, and the border crossing with Oman. Given that it is similar in appearance to the Jahili fort of the 19th century, it is thought to have been constructed at around the same time, during the reign of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.[3] [4]
Mezyad lies on a route from the main part of Al-Ain to Oman, leading to Dhank, Ibri and Nizwa, and going through the Western Hajar Mountains.[4] Named "Zayed Bin Sultan Street", it goes past Al-Ain's traditional camel market, near Bawadi Mall[2] and an IKEA store.[8]