Muharraq Pearl Trading Heritage
Explore Muharraq island, the UNESCO-listed heart of Bahrain pearl trading civilization, walking the Pearling Path through restored merchant houses and souqs that speak of extraordinary 19th-century wealth.
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Muharraq Pearling Path Start
Begin the UNESCO Pearling Path in Muharraq, a 3.5-kilometer heritage route passing seventeen sites linked to the pearl trading industry that made Bahrain fabulously wealthy before the oil discovery.
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Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House
Visit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali House, a magnificent 19th-century merchant mansion with wind towers, courtyard gardens, and ornate plasterwork, restored to show the opulent lifestyle of Bahrain pearl-age elite.
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Siyadi House
Explore the Siyadi House complex, four interlinked houses owned by a wealthy pearl merchant family, their facades decorated with elaborate carved gypsum screens and ornate wooden doors.
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Bu Maher Fort
Reach Bu Maher Fort at the tip of Muharraq, a small defensive tower that once guarded the pearl diving fleet harbor, now offering views over the straits between Muharraq and Manama.
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Muharraq Souq
Browse the restored Muharraq Souq with its traditional shops selling spices, dates, and handicrafts in a covered lane that looks much as it would have during the height of the pearl trading era.
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Pearl Diving Demonstration Area
See a demonstration of traditional pearl diving techniques at the heritage area, where guides explain the brutal conditions endured by divers who plunged without oxygen to depths of 20 meters.