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

Explore Bahrain's oil heritage at the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum, where history and innovation converge to tell the story of a nation's transformation.

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The Dar al-Naft Oil Museum commemorates Bahrain's transformation from a pearling community to a modern, oil-producing nation. Located near the first oil well, it showcases the history of oil exploration and its impact on Bahraini life.

A brief summary to Dar al-Naft Oil Museum

Local tips

  • Call ahead to check opening times, as the museum is not always open.
  • Visit during weekdays for a quieter experience.
  • Take advantage of guided tours for a more in-depth understanding of the exhibits.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum by public transport, take a bus heading towards Sitra or Manama. Inform the driver you wish to get off at the closest stop to the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum. From there, walk towards the museum, following directional signs. A single bus journey costs 300 fils (approximately $0.80 USD). You can pay with exact cash or use a GO Card.

  • Taxi/Ride-sharing

    Taxis are readily available in Bahrain. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Careem are also an option. A taxi ride from Manama to the museum typically costs between BHD 8 to BHD 10 ($21 to $26 USD), depending on traffic. Be sure the taxi is metered to avoid being overcharged.

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Discover more about Dar al-Naft Oil Museum

The Dar al-Naft Oil Museum stands as a monument to Bahrain's rich petroleum history and the country's 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 past. The museum seeks to tell the story of Bahrain's transformation from a 'pearl state' to an 'oil state'. It also traces how the search for drinking water led to the search for oil.

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