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Guest
Palace: An emir rules the archipelago country
of Bahrain, located in the Persian Gulf. For handling
national administrative affairs, the emir appoints a cabinet,
headed by a prime minister. For local concerns, the emir
selects municipal councils. One of the palaces associated
with the emir and his family is pictured here.
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Manama: Manama, the capital
and largest city of Bahrain, is a modern city whose growth
and development has been funded by oil profits.
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The King Fahd Causeway
: The King Fahd Causeway, opened in 1986, links
the island nation of Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.
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Oil Field: Oil
sales produce more than one-half of Bahrain’s
revenue from exports. The country has one of the world’s
largest refineries. Shown is a brightly painted oil
well.
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The Souq: No Visit to
Bahrain would be completed without a trip to the soukh
, with its profusion of colors, sounds, and aromas. All
wares are sold, from cloth of colors and textures to gold
and jewelry as well as the traditional array of spices
and local produce. Bartering is expected, and indeed turns
the whole experience of shopping into a challenge to see
who can obtain the best price. The central market, completed
in 1978, provides modern facilities for trades, which
were unavailable, when the market took place in the soukh.
It is well worth a visit, if only to enjoy the brightly
colored display of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well
as the scents of the herbs, nuts and spices.
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The Gold Souq :
Bahrain gold is usually 21 carat and hallmark; it is available
in an infinite number of styles, including traditional
Bedouin designs as well as the more contemporary European
jewelry. If you can't see what you want, then don't worry
pieces can also be made to order, although it is wise
to confirm a price before the craftsmen go to work.
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The Cloth Souq:
Materials of all textures, colors and origins are available
here from silk to cotton and wool. If you have a sketch
or an item to be copied, the many tailors shops which
are dotted throughout the soukh can make you a new suit
or outfit- at a fraction of the original price!
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Siyadi House:
SThis is one of the most impressive examples of a 19th
century built by the pearl-merchant Ahmed Bin Qassem Siyadi
and has many fine features to look out for, including
ornate ceilings, stained-glass windows, carved screens
and a large safe set into the wall of a small, upper reception
room.
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Al-Khamis Mosque: The
twin minarets of this ancient mosque are easily identifiable
as you drive along the Sh. Salman Road. It's considered
being one of the oldest relics of Islam in the region,
and the foundation are believed to have been laid as
early
as 692AD. An inscription found on the site, however,
suggests a foundation date sometimes during the 11th
Century. It
has since been rebuilt twice in both 14th & 15th
centuries, when the minarets were constructed. The
mosque has been
partially restored recently.
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Museum of Pearl Diving:
The 'Museum of Pearl Diving' building is regarded as one
of the most important and historic buildings in Bahrain.
Its importance derives from being the first official center
for the Bahrain Courts.
In addition, it is a vital witness to what Bahrain
has achieved through its long history in regard to the
application of civil law and regulations, and the establishment
of the principles of justice on solid legal foundations.
The building was opened by the late H.H. Sh. Hamad
Bin Essa AI-Khalifa, then governor of Bahrain, in the
Hijra year 1356 (Islamic Calendar), October 18th, 1937.
The building at that time consisted of four Supreme
Courts, in addition to three Directorates: (1) Sunni
Waqf (Religious Endowments of the Sunnis), (2) Jaffaria
Waqf (Religious Endowments of the Shiites), and (3)
Minors Estate (Properties of Underage). In addition,
there were rooms used as offices, and another room for
filing purposes.
In 1984, the building was transformed into the Traditional
Heritage Center. Its departments and rooms were dedicated
to the display of various traditional aspects of Bahrain's
heritage, except the Supreme Courtroom, to which no
significant change has been made for 65 years. The Supreme
Courts at that time included (1) a Civil Court, (2)
an Appellate Court, and (3) a Criminal Court.
The current 'Museum of Pearl Diving' building is under
the authority of the Directorate of Archaeology and
Heritage, which is one of the major Directorates of
the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Information. The
'Museum of Pearl Diving' building is a source of pride
to Bahrain, for it contains the story of Bahrain, its
governors, and its people from the past till the present.
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Bait Al Qur'an:
The House of the Qur'an was built to accommodate
a comprehensive and valuable collection of the Holy Qur'an
and manuscripts, a concept which is unique in the Arabian
Gulf. All visitors are welcome, and the complex comprises
a mosque, a library, an auditorium, a school and museum
consisting of five exhibition halls.
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Arad Fort:
This 16th century fort of Arabic construction is probably
one of the first landmarks you will see upon arrival to
Bahrain due to its proximity to the airport. It has undergone
extensive restoration, and is now illuminated at night,
presenting a magnificent sight. Little is known of the
fort history, and there is no firm evidence of the precise
date of construction, but comprehensive excavations have
been undertaken in order to discover its past. N.B. Stout
shoes should be worn if you intend to pay a visit, in
order that you can explore to the full- high heels are
not suitable for climbing about on the ramparts!
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Shaikh Isa's House:Shaikh
Isa's house, in the old town of Muharraq, was once
the
home of the Amir`s great-grandfather, Shaikh Isa Bin
Ali Al khalifa . It provides a fine example of local
architecture,
complete with wind tower, wall carving and lattice
work, and its representative of traditional 19th century
life.
One of the early forms of " air conditions" was
the wind tower, a traditional landmark of local architecture.
This would act as a funnel, catching the breeze and
drawing
it down it down into the cavities below, as well as
allowing the release of hot air like a chimney.
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Tree of Life:
Standing alone in the desert about 1.2 miles (two kilometers)
from the Jebel Dukhan, this flourishing mystic tree provides
welcome shade from the heat of the day, although its source
of water remains a mystery.
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Al-Jasra House:
The house was built by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa
in 1907, and was the birthplace of the present Amir in
July 1933. When the family moved to Riffa later in the
1930, the building fell into disrepair, but they were
restored in 1986 and are now open to the public.
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Arabic Coffee & Hospitality: The
drinking of coffee is a traditional part of Bahrain
welcome, and begins with the preparation of the coffee
itself. Three cupfuls of vaster and a rounded teaspoon
of coffee (gahwa) are poured into a saucepan and then
boiled for about two minutes. Next comes the "relaxation" process,
which is very important, as it allows time for the
traditional exchange of greetings and welcome. After
adding cardamom and saffron in rosewater, the liquid
is
poured gently from the saucepan into the coffeepot,
or dalla, taking care that the sediment remains in
the pan.
The coffee is then left to brew for five or ten minutes
before being served in a small cup, or finjan. It is
polite
to accept a second cup if offered, but for third and
subsequent helpings, the shaking of the cup from side
to side indicates
refusal. Coffeepots can be found in many shops on the
island, as well as in the soukhs. They make an ideal
reminder
for the hospitality and welcome extended to visitors
by the people of Bahrain.
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National Museum:
TThe Bahrain National Museum is administered by the
directorate of Museums, Ministry of Cabinet Affairs
& Information of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a non-profit,
educational, and scientific organization.
The purpose of the National Museum is to preserve,
increase, and disseminate knowledge of the artistic,
natural and cultural history of Bahrain.
To accomplish this purpose, the National Museum collects,
preserves, studies, interprets, and utilizes tangible
objects in programs of exhibitions, and research.
The National Museum recognizes that it holds its collections
in trust for the people of Bahrain. The National Museum
recognizes its responsibility to ensure planned and
coherent growth, development, care and use of the National
Museum's collections.
H.H. Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Amir of
the Kingdom of Bahrain , presided at the official inauguration
ceremony of the Bahrain National Museum, 6th Jumada
Al Uola 1409/ 15th December 1988. Also present were
the Prime Minister, H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa,
and the Crown Prince, H.H. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.
H.E. Tariq Abdulrahman Al-Moayyed, the Minister of Information,
guided H.H. the Amir through the different halls of
the Museum.
Work on the new National Museum started in 1984 on
the unique 123,000 square metre sea-front site situated
between the cities of Manama and Muharraq. It compromises
nine separate exhibition halls, each having a floor
area of 625 square metres. A large foyer of 1450 square
metres connects the halls which is used for temporary
exhibitions. In addition, the Museum has administrative
offices, conservation laboratories, storage facilities,
workshops, photo labs, as well as a library, restaurant,
lagoon, and car parks.
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Adhari Park:
off Shaikh Isa Bin Sulman Highway, open mornings daily
between 8:00 to 12:00 and afternoons everyday between
4:00 to 10:00 P.M
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