The Old Palace was built in the early 20th century by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, who is today considered to be the father of modern Qatar. For around a decade, the palace was at the centre of Qatar’s political leadership, serving as the residence of the ruler of Qatar and his family and the seat of government.

In 1975 the palace was converted into the Qatar National Museum, which included a Museum of the State, a lagoon and a popular marine aquarium. In 1980 the adaptation of the Old Palace as a museum won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. 

The Old Palace has now been restored as the heart of the new National Museum of Qatar designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The restoration of the palace has set a new standard for the treatment of historic buildings and architectural conservation, both in Qatar and across the region.