Bahrain

Bahrain - map

Wikipedia article about Bahrain

 

Main attractions

The most surprising landmarks in this small island country are the monuments left by a Dilmun culture - prehistoric or ancient culture which sometimes is seen as a civilization.

This culture flourished circa 3200 - 1600 BC and has left some of the largest necropolises (such as Hamad and A'ali) in the world with some 170,000 graves. It is well possible that people from far away were buried here. Unfortunately this unique heritage is endangered - covered with city.

Today Bahrain is fast developing country with very impressive construction projects - such as Bahrain World Trade Center.

Natural landmarks

• Tree of Life - Southern Governorate. Approximately 400 years old mesquite (Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce) growing in a place devoid of water.

Monuments of Dilmun culture

• Al-Hajar burial complex - Northern Governorate. Group of more than 150 sub-terranean tombs cut in rock and covered with capstones.
• Barbar Temples - Northern Governorate. Three temples of Dilmun civilization, built atop each other. First was built circa 3000 BC, second - circa 2500 BC and the third - sometimes between 2100 -  2000 BC. Temple had two altars and natural spring.
• Diraz - Northern Governorate. Ancient settlement, temple and fortified Umm Al Sajoor spring of Dilmun civilization. Spring was landfilled in 7th century AD by Ummayad caliph, but cleaned again by the villagers.
• Hamad (Karszakkan) burial mounds, A'ali burial mounds and other sites - Northern Governorate. Very impressive sets of many thousands of burial mounds - tumulus. Burials have been shaped by the people of Dilmun civilization and other cultures. There are 9 more burial fields.
• Jannusan burial mounds (Royal Mounds) - Northern Governorate. 8 enormous burial mounds from the Bronze Age, more than 10 m high.
• Saar - Northern Governorate. Ruins of some 15 ha large prehistoric town of Dilmun civilization from the Bronze Age (circa 2000 BC). Research has provided some insight into this little known civilization.
• Qal'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) - Capital. The former centre of Dilmun civilization. Artificial mound with an impressive fort on it. The 12 m high mound consists of 7 stratfied layers and was created by constant habitation from 2300 BC to 18th century. The 15 ha large area was fortified since the ancient times. Portuguese fort was built in 16th century.

Mosques

• Al Fateh Grand Mosque - Capital. One of the largest mosques in the world which can accomodate more than 7,000 worshippers at a time. Built in 1988. Significant detail is the largest fibreglass dome (diameter - 24 m) in the world.
• Khamis Mosque - Capital Governorate. The first mosque in Bahrain. It is believed that the foundation of this building was laid in 692 AD, current building is from the 11th century and much rebuilt in later times.

Forts

• Arad Fort - Muharraq. 15th century fort, built by Arabs. Compact structure with four cylindric towers on corners.
• Riffa Fort - Southern Governorate. Persian built fort from 17th century, converted into palace in the 18th century.

Palaces, city houses

• Al-Sakhir Palace - Southern Governorate. Imposing palace complex, built in the desert in 1870 - 1901.
• Isa Bin Ali House - Muharraq. One of the best examples of historical Bahraini architecture, a house of Shaikh Isa Bin Ali with massive windtower.
• Siyadi House - Muharraq. 19th century city house with detailed ornamentation and finely carved doors.

Modern architecture

• Bahrain World Trade Center - Capital. 240 m tall twin skyscrapers, the first in the world with integrated wind turbines. This 50 floor high building was built in 2008.
• King Fahd Causeway - Northern Governorate and Saudi Arabia, Eastern Province. 25 km long system of causeways and brodges across the waters of Gulf of Bahrain, connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Road has 4 lanes and it was built in 1981 - 1986.