Expatriate Forums in Bahrain

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BAHRAIN TOURISM & TRAVEL GUIDE

Tourist Attractions

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM
Bahrain National Museum : Location MapThe Bahrain National Museum is administered by the directorate of Museums, Ministry of Cabinet Affairs & Information of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a non-profit, educational, and scientific organization. The purpose of the National Museum is to preserve, increase, and disseminate knowledge of the artistic, natural and cultural history of Bahrain.

To accomplish this purpose, the National Museum collects, preserves, studies, interprets, and utilizes tangible objects in programs of exhibitions, and research.

The National Museum recognizes that it holds its collections in trust for the people of Bahrain. The National Museum recognizes its responsibility to ensure planned and coherent growth, development, care and use of the National Museum's collections.

H.H. Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Amir of the Kingdom of Bahrain , presided at the official inauguration ceremony of the Bahrain National Museum, 6th Jumada Al Uola 1409/ 15th December 1988. Also present were the Prime Minister, H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, and the Crown Prince, H.H. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. H.E. Tariq Abdulrahman Al-Moayyed, the Minister of Information, guided H.H. the Amir through the different halls of the Museum.

Work on the new National Museum started in 1984 on the unique 123,000 square metre sea-front site situated between the cities of Manama and Muharraq. It compromises nine separate exhibition halls, each having a floor area of 625 square metres. A large foyer of 1450 square metres connects the halls which is used for temporary exhibitions. In addition, the Museum has administrative offices, conservation laboratories, storage facilities, workshops, photo labs, as well as a library, restaurant, lagoon, and car parks.

Source: Bahrainexhibitions.com

Bab Al Bahrain

You will quickly discover that life in Bahrain somehow revolves around this landmark. 'Bab Al Bahrain' quite literally means Gateway to Bahrain.

When it was originally designed by Sir Charles Belgrave in 1945, it housed the government offices of the time and overlooked the sea. The sea has long been reclaimed (Government Avenue, which runs alongside Bab Al Bahrain, was built on reclaimed land), and the monument itself was refurbished in 1986 to incorporate Islamic architectural features.

The ground floor now houses the tourist information office and a handicrafts shop. (Timings: 0800-1200 and 1630-1800, closed on Fridays). Sightseeing bus tours depart from here daily at 0930 and 1530.

Bab Al Bahrain also serves as entrance to the souk (market).

The A'ali Burial Mounds

Bahrain probably has the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world.

There are an estimated 170,000 burial mounds dating back to between 3000 BC and 600 AD. Each of these mounds covers a stone built chamber which formed the grave.

Few of these are intact today, many having been looted way back in the past, or destroyed over the years. The best preserved of the mounds can be seen at A'ali village.

Source: Bahrainguide.com

Al-Khamis Mosque

The twin minarets of this ancient mosque are easily identifiable as you drive along the Sh. Salman Road. It's considered being one of the oldest relics of Islam in the region, and the foundation are believed to have been laid as early as 692AD. An inscription found on the site, however, suggests a foundation date sometimes during the 11th Century. It has since been rebuilt twice in both 14th & 15th centuries, when the minarets were constructed. The mosque has been partially restored recently.

Siyadi House

This is one of the most impressive examples of a 19th century built by the pearl-merchant Ahmed Bin Qassem Siyadi and has many fine features to look out for, including ornate ceilings, stained-glass windows, carved screens and a large safe set into the wall of a small, upper reception room.

Source: world66.com