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Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center: A Gateway to Bahrain's Pearling History

Discover Bahrain's pearling legacy at the Pearling Path Visitor Center in Muharraq, a UNESCO World Heritage site and architectural gem.

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The Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center in Muharraq is the starting point for exploring Bahrain's rich pearling history, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The center showcases the island's maritime past and cultural heritage through exhibits and architecture that blends modern design with historical ruins.

A brief summary to Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and enjoy a more pleasant experience.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a fair amount of walking along the 3.5km Pearling Path.
  • Check the opening hours of the historic houses along the Pearling Path in advance, as they may vary.
  • Follow the pearl-shaped streetlights that guide you along the Pearling Path.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Muharraq Souq, head east towards the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway. Continue for about 15 minutes until you reach the intersection with Al Qasim Street. The Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center will be on your right.

  • Public Transport

    From Manama, take a bus to Muharraq Bus Terminal. Several bus routes connect Manama and Muharraq, including the A1 and A2. From the Muharraq Bus Terminal, it's approximately a 10-minute walk to the Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center. Head south towards the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway, then turn right onto Al Qasim Street. The center will be on your right. A single bus fare is approximately 0.3-0.6 BHD.

  • Driving

    If driving, several multistorey car parks are available near the Pearling Path, offering both free and paid parking. These car parks are part of the Pearling Path project and are designed by Christian Kerez. From the car park, follow the signs to the Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center. Parking fees, if applicable, are typically around 0.5 BHD per hour.

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Discover more about Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center

The Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Center serves as the main entrance to the Pearling Path, a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 2012 as 'Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy'. This recognition highlights pearling's significant contribution to Bahrain's economy and culture, particularly from the 2nd to the early 20th centuries. Located in the heart of Muharraq, Bahrain's former capital, the center is more than just a museum; it's an architectural marvel designed by Valerio Olgiati Architects. The building incorporates the ruins of the 'Ammarat Yousif Ali Fakhro, a historic structure from the 1930s, along with the 'Ammarat Al Doy and its later extension, seamlessly merging the past and present. The design features a unifying roof structure supported by slender columns, creating a shaded gathering space. Traditional wind towers have been reintroduced to improve the climate beneath the roof. Inside, a permanent exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of the Pearling Path, featuring models of properties along the route. Interactive displays and artifacts bring to life the stories of pearl divers, merchants, and their families, showcasing traditional diving methods, tools, and the risks involved. The Pearling Path itself is a 3.5-kilometer route through Muharraq, connecting historic houses, warehouses, and buildings that were central to the pearling trade. Each site represents a chapter in Bahrain's pearling history. The center also acts as a community center, with exhibition spaces, children's areas, a pearling heritage archive, a library, and conference facilities.

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