Pearling Pathway Visitor Center 1- BuMaher Fort, Manama Travel Guide

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Explore Bahrain's pearling history at Bu Maher Fort, the starting point of the UNESCO-listed Pearling Pathway in Muharraq.

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Pearling Pathway Visitor Center 1- BuMaher Fort

Bu Maher Fort, located in Muharraq, Bahrain, marks the beginning of the Pearling Pathway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1840, the fort offers insights into Bahrain's pearling history and maritime past.

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

6JR7+HJ3, Muharraq, BH

Monday 9 am-6 pm
Wednesday 9 am-6 pm
Thursday 9 am-6 pm
Saturday 9 am-6 pm
Sunday 9 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Pearling Pathway Visitor Center 1- BuMaher Fort.

Wear comfortable shoes for walking the Pearling Path, a 3.5-kilometer trail through Muharraq.
Visit the fort in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
Check the boat schedule from the Bahrain National Museum for a scenic journey to the fort.

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Getting There

Walking

From the Muharraq bus station, the Pearling Pathway Visitor Center at Bu Maher Fort is a short 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.
Taxi

From anywhere in Muharraq, a taxi or ride-share to the Pearling Pathway Visitor Center is readily available. Simply provide the driver with the name 'Bu Maher Fort' or the coordinates (26.241398, 50.6140391). The ride should be short and relatively inexpensive, costing approximately 7 BHD for a 5km ride depending on the starting point and traffic conditions.
Public Transport

To reach Bu Maher Fort using public transport, take the bus from Al Muharraq to Manama Airport A1. The bus departs every 20 minutes and the journey takes approximately 12 minutes. The ticket costs $1. From the airport, you can take a taxi to Bu Maher Fort.

Discover more about Pearling Pathway Visitor Center 1- BuMaher Fort

Bu Maher Fort, also known as Qal'at Bu Maher, is situated on the southeastern coast of Muharraq Island in Bahrain. This fort marks the beginning of the Pearling Pathway, a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 2012. The Pearling Pathway tells the story of Bahrain's pearling era. The visitor center enhances the experience by providing insights into the pearling industry.Originally constructed in 1840, the fort's history may extend back to a 16th-century Portuguese fortification. Archaeological evidence suggests the site may have been occupied as far back as the Umayyad or early Abbasid periods. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa strategically built the fort to guard 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.Visitors can explore the fort's structure and appreciate the panoramic views of the surrounding area. The fort and its coastline were the departure and return point for pearling dhows. The Pearling Pathway includes historic buildings, traditional houses, and cultural sites.