Welcome to the Pearling Path
A UNESCO World Heritage Site. The path takes you through historic Muharraq to explore the history of pearls and their role in shaping Bahrain’s cultural, social, and economic life.
Key Sites
AL GHUS HOUSE
The Diving House was built in the early twentieth century and served as accommodation for divers before the start of the pearling seasons. The house presents aspects of their daily lives, working conditions at sea, and the social practices associated with the pearling profession.
QAL’AT BU MAHIR
Qal’at Bu Mahir is the oldest urban component of the Pearling Path, first appearing on historical maps in 1635. Located at the southern tip of Muharraq, it served as the departure and return point for pearling vessels during the diving seasons, as well as a place where sailors were bid farewell and welcomed back.
AL JALAHMA HOUSE
Al Jalahma House stands at the northernmost edge of Halat Bu Mahir and was built before the land reclamation works that later altered the area’s landscape. It represents a model of large pearling-era residences and highlights the role of women in pearling society, as they formed the majority of its residents. Its architecture reflects a clear emphasis on women’s privacy in line with prevailing customs, through the organisation of corridors, courtyards, and reception spaces, as well as the first-floor room known as the “Hafiz,” one of its most distinctive features.