Manama Attractions include the famed religious and cultural centers that dot the capital city of Bahrain. The tourist attractions in Manama present the proverbial Arabic culture that exists in the Middle East.
Manama Attractions stand as iconic representations of the rich culture of this robustly booming city in the Middle East. Manama is located on the north eastern fringe of Bahrain and enamors tourists with its majestic religious and cultural magnets.
Tourist Attractions of Manama:
The capital city of Bahrain retains the vestiges of the age-old dwellers in its primary attractions. Some of the magnanimous attractions in Manama are described below:
- Manama Fort – The first settlement in the region dates back to 2800 B.C and the further fortifications and settlements were added in subsequent years. It was enhanced with the last fortification in the 16th century, prior to the invasion of the Portuguese. Archaeological excavations have been undertaken in this region to unveil multifarious relics that speak volumes about the bygone eras. The Manama Fort is often referred to as the Portuguese Fort by the local people.
- National Museum – The National Museum is a grand repository that houses illuminated Korans, religious documents, sculptures, ceramic articles, paintings on Dilmum Civilization, exhibits on Arabic calligraphy and contemporary paintings. Apart from this, the National Museum in Manama houses a reconstruction of distinctive souq that existed in the 1930s.
- Museum of Pearl Diving – The Museum was the former functionary center for the Bahrain Court. It is the core center of legal foundations in Bahrain and is witness to the fundamental application of the civil laws and regulations in the region.
- King Fahad Causeway – The causeway is one of the most expensive bridges that stretches to 15.5 miles. The paved route that traverses Umm Nasam Island, links Saudi Arabia to Bahrain.
- Tree of Life – The mystifying existence of this single tree amidst the vast expanse of the desert has amazed people through the ages. The tree stands at a distance of 1.2 miles from Jebel Dukhan.
- Siyadi House – Built with ornate ceilings and intricately carves screens, the Siyadi House is one of the most distinguished example of 19th century architecture. The house belonged to the affluent pearl merchant, Ahmed Bin Qassem Siyad.
Religious Sites in Manama:
- Al-Khamis Mosque – With the most recognizable feature of the twin minarets, the ancient Al-Khamis Mosque stands as one of the famed icons of the Islamic religion.
- Barbar Temple – Archaeological excavations in Manama have uncovered the three stone-built Barbar temple that is believed to be dedicated to Enki, the God of Spring Waters. The temple dates back to the centuries before the birth of Christ.
One of the primary attractions of the city is the car racing circuit that will host the 2008 Formula One Championship. While in Manama, the tourists may visit the shopping areas like Manama Souq and Gold Souq to collect souvenirs of the city.
