Bahrain Pearling Path Museum — Attraction in Muharraq Island

The museum is the first starting point of Pearling Path - UNESCO world heritage site, located at Qal’at Bu Mahir, which is also shown on a Portuguese map of 1635. Originally a solid, four-towered fort with massive defensive walls, Qal’at Bu Mahir dominated the Bu Mahir Seashore and played an essential role in the pearling economy. It both defended the nearby Muharraq settlement and protected the basin between Muharraq and the main island of Bahrain. The latter role was vital for the protection of the pearling fleet against pirates and other Arabian Gulf aggressors at the beginning and the end of each diving season. In addition, the fortress protected Muharraq town’s principal water supply, a sweet water source located in the sea.

Qal’at Bu Mahir’s defensive role came to an end in 1868, when British Naval forces destroyed large parts of the fort and assumed some of the...

Always enjoyable now its opened. Nice beach area to walk on. Theres a small jetty for bay boat rides. The single turret is whats left of a 4 turret fort, 3 being destroyed by the British. The fort was constructed to defend the bay and pearl banks.

Inside the exhibition centre theres a model of the entire pearl path walk.

Additionally there are good washroom facilities.

Recommended. A must see for visitors to the island.

No entry fee.

Accessed by the footbridge across the highway. Theres limited parking in the area. The footbridge has 3 elevators so it makes the exhibition accessable for the disabled.

Easiest way for visitors - take the A1 bus from Manama terminus to Muharraq terminus. Get off cross road and enter the pearl path exhibition centre. Exit to the rear. Turn right. Follow the giant lightbulbs to the footbridge. Alternatively...

Security made us wait from 8:30 though entry time was 9:00. Later we were told a ministry shoot was happening, but others were allowed in, claiming to be tourists. No officials with ID were present. It seems the securities may be collecting money from video crews to allow filming. Hope officials look into...