The Bahrain National Museum, a sleek post-modern building with large windows looking out to sea, is a true cultural gem that shines a light on the rich history and diverse heritage of this small nation in the Persian Gulf. It manages to capture the imagination of visitors through a series of fascinating exhibits spanning 6,000 years of the country’s history, ranging from antiquity to the modern era. This world-famous museum, which is Bahrain’s most popular tourist attraction, allows you to discover the country’s culture and traditions and immerse yourself in the history of the ancient Dilmun civilisation through artefacts revealing the secrets of a lost culture.
History of the Museum
The Bahrain National Museum, founded in 1988 as the country’s first public museum by Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, moved to its current site in 2019: a post-modern building standing next to the Bahrain National Theatre and close to the Portuguese fort.
Designed by the Danish architectural firm Krohn and Hartvig Rasmussen, the modern design of this 27,800 m2 structure exists in harmony with the calm waters of the vast Arabian Sea that surrounds it. After being welcomed by a cluster of contemporary statues near the entrance, visitors can decide whether to visit the permanent or temporary exhibitions, art gallery, conference room, souvenir shop or café.
What to see in the Museum
The Bahrain National Museum is home to a plethora of fascinating exhibits that seek to preserve and promote the country’s rich history and culture.
It has three rooms dedicated to the ancient Dilmun civilisation (5000-400 BC), showcasing artefacts such as sarcophagi and funerary objects that were unearthed at archaeological sites such as Barbar Temple. They reveal fascinating details about the daily life, religious beliefs and maritime trade of this ancient people. Some tours complement the museum visit with a trip to the Dilmun Burial Mounds, which is believed to be the world’s largest necropolis.
The museum also houses an Islamic art exhibition comprising illustrated manuscripts, ceramics and metallic objects. There is also a section dedicated to Bahraini culture and lifestyle prior to the discovery of oil in 1932, and another on the country’s natural history with samples of local flora and fauna. The museum’s interactive exhibitions on marine life in the Persian Gulf are particularly popular among visitors.
Opening hours and prices
The Bahrain National Museum opens 6 days a week, closing only on Tuesdays. It is open from 8 AM to 8 PM. Opening hours may vary during Ramadan. The general admission fee is 1 BHD (Bahraini dinars) for adults and 0.5 BHD for students. Children under the age of 6 and persons with disabilities can enter for free. For up-to-date information on opening times and fees, consult the museum’s official website.
