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Dar al-Naft Oil Museum: Bahrain's Black Gold Legacy

Uncover Bahrain's oil heritage at Dar al-Naft Oil Museum, where history and innovation tell the story of the island's transformation into a modern nation.

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Explore Bahrain's rich petroleum history at the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the island's first oil discovery. Located near the original Discovery Well #1, the museum showcases Bahrain's transformation from a pearling community to a modern, oil-producing nation.

A brief summary to Dar al-Naft Oil Museum

Local tips

  • Call ahead to confirm opening hours, as the museum is not always open, especially on weekends.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Tree of Life and Bahrain International Circuit for a well-rounded experience.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing some walking both inside the museum and around the surrounding oil fields.
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Getting There

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From Manama, the most convenient way to reach the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum is by taxi or ride-sharing services like Uber or Careem. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Direct the driver to Jebel Dukhan, near the first oil well. The fare typically ranges from 5 BHD to 8 BHD. Confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey.

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum using public transportation, start by locating the nearest bus stop. Look for buses that head towards Sitra or Awali. You can ask locals or check the bus schedule for routes that pass near the museum. Once on the bus, inform the driver that you want to get off at the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum stop or the closest stop to it. The bus fare is approximately 0.300 BHD. After getting off the bus, walk towards the museum, following any directional signs you see along the way.

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Discover more about Dar al-Naft Oil Museum

Dar al-Naft Oil Museum, also known as the Oil Museum, stands as a monument to Bahrain's rich petroleum history and its transformation from a small pearling community to a modern, oil-producing nation. Opened on June 2, 1992, by the late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the museum commemorates the 60th anniversary of the discovery of oil in Bahrain. It is located adjacent to the first oil well, Discovery Well #1, at the foot of Jebel Dukhan, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the origins of Bahrain's oil industry. The museum's exhibits vividly depict the story of oil exploration, discovery, and development in Bahrain, showcasing its profound impact on the lives of Bahrainis. Visitors can journey through time, witnessing the evolution from a fishing community dependent on pearling to a cosmopolitan financial hub and promising industrial center. The displays include a picture gallery, historic documents, and items used in the first petroleum exploration expeditions. Samples of Bahrain's rocks, oil, and minerals, as well as models of oil well drilling and logging equipment, provide a comprehensive understanding of the industry's technical aspects. One of the museum's highlights is its collection of rocks and Earth's history exhibits. These include geodes, limestone, and dolomite from Bahrain, as well as amethyst and white quartz pieces from around the world. A prized desert rose, one of the largest ever found, is also on display. Fossils from Bahrain and other locations, including a 50-million-year-old shark tooth, offer insights into the geological history of the region. The museum also traces how the search for water led to the discovery of oil. The Bahrain Petroleum Company's (Bapco) original office building, dating back to 1931, stands to the right of the museum, offering a glimpse into the early days of the oil industry. Dar al-Naft, meaning "House of Oil," is dedicated to the theme of oil, its search, discovery, and development in Bahrain, and its impact on the lives of Bahrainis.

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