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Pearling Pathway Visitor Center & Bu Maher Fort

Discover Bahrain's pearling legacy at this UNESCO site, the starting point of the Pearling Path, offering history and panoramic views.

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Explore Bahrain's pearling history at the Pearling Pathway Visitor Center and Bu Maher Fort in Muharraq, a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering cultural insights and panoramic views. The fort, built in 1840, marks the beginning of the 3.5-kilometer Pearling Path.

A brief summary to Pearling Pathway Visitor Center 1- BuMaher Fort

  • 6JR7+HJ3, Muharraq, BH

Local tips

  • Follow the pearl-shaped streetlights to navigate the Pearling Path through Muharraq's historic streets.
  • Consider a boat trip from the Bahrain National Museum for a scenic approach to Bu Maher Fort.
  • Check the Visitor Center's schedule for workshops and cultural events to enhance your experience.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Muharraq bus station, the Pearling Pathway Visitor Center at Bu Maher Fort is a short 10-minute walk. Follow the signs for the Pearling Path, or use a map application to navigate. The path is well-marked with pearl-shaped streetlights, guiding you through the historic streets of Muharraq. As you approach the coastline, you'll see the fort on your right.

  • Taxi

    From anywhere in Muharraq, a taxi to the Pearling Pathway Visitor Center is readily available. Provide the driver with the name 'Bu Maher Fort' or the coordinates (26.241398, 50.6140391). The ride should be short and relatively inexpensive. Taxi fares in Muharraq Governorate start with a base fee of 2 BHD and charge 1 BHD per kilometer. A 5km ride would cost approximately 7 BHD.

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Discover more about Pearling Pathway Visitor Center 1- BuMaher Fort

The Pearling Pathway Visitor Center and Bu Maher Fort mark the beginning of the Pearling Path, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells the story of Bahrain's pearling era. Located on the southeastern coast of Muharraq Island, the fort, also known as Qal'at Bu Maher, is more than just a historical structure; it is a gateway to understanding the economic, social, and cultural significance of pearling in the region. Originally constructed in 1840, the fort's history may extend back to a 16th-century Portuguese fortification. Archaeological evidence suggests that the site may have been occupied as far back as the Umayyad or early Abbasid periods. Strategically built by Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the fort guarded the passageway of Muharraq Bay, serving as a sister fort to Arad Fort. In 1868, British warships destroyed the fort during the Qatari-Bahraini War. It was partially restored in 1930 to serve as a quarantine station for smallpox. Further reconstruction occurred in the 1970s, and archaeological excavations have been conducted as recently as 2010. Today, only a solitary tower remains. The Pearling Pathway, recognized by UNESCO in 2012, comprises oyster beds, a seashore, the Bu Maher Fort, and numerous historic buildings in Muharraq. The Bu Maher Fort Visitor Center offers an immersive experience, providing insights into the history of the pearling path and the houses that formed it. The visitor center features a three-dimensional display that guides visitors through the history of the path and the houses that formed it, from the early beginnings to the main pearling traders.

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