Along the Pearling Path: Discovering Muharraq, Bahrain, Muharraq, Bahrain (B)

The classic view of Bahrain is the distinctive buildings and soaring skyscrapers of Manama. But the nearby town of Muharraq is full of narrow streets and traditional Bahraini houses, a reminder of the days when the country’s economy depended upon pearls rather than oil. Muharraq is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one way to explore it is by following the recently created Pearling Path. As I discovered, the path is to some extent a work in progress, but it is still a good way to discover the area and its history.

Muharraq is Bahrain’s third largest town, situated on an island close to Manama, but connected by road. The city is around 5,000 years old and was the nation’s capital until 1932. Its history dates back to the ancient Dilmun civilisation, but Muharraq has been variously occupied by the Greeks, the Portuguese and the Persians, prized for its strategic location and for the lucrative pearl fishing trade. Today the island is home to the international airport but you can still explore the streets and buildings of the old town. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).