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Situated at the junction of Al-Fatih Highway and Shaikh Hamad Bridge leading to Muharraq, the Museum was officially opened in December 1988 to become one of the latest and largest museums in the Middle East.
The Museum consists of several exhibition halls covering the history of Bahrain from the stone age, through ancient civilizations and up to the pre-oil period.
Historical background
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The islands of Bahrain over the centuries, was and still alive museum preserving the natural effects and the remnants of ancient civilizations quarters. There are more than one hundred thousand hills of graves that cover the earth's surface in different areas of Bahrain for more than four thousand years, as was protecting the remnants of temples, which until recently remained hidden under the sand. until recently. The archaeological finds, as expected, triggered a need to establish a museum includes the wonderful and diverse group of artifacts discovered.
Bahrainis not to merely preserve the effects of their past, but also coincided serious discussions about establishing a national museum with the implementation of ambitious programs for economic development and social progress and cultural development. It was almost a way of life that ensured the survival of humans Bahrain for more than a thousand years.
More over, The loss of tradition and sense of yearning to the recent past made archaeologists and researchers keen to establish a museum to keep their discoveries and studies where others were keen to devote efforts on preserving heritage. The emergence and convergence of these two goals were the motivation behind developing Bahrain National Museum.
It should be noted that the first outline of archeological pieces held in Bahrain in cooperation with the Danish mission in a temporary exhibition at the Al-Hedaya Al-Khalifia School in the Holocaust in 1957. |
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This temporary exhibition paved the way for the idea that was evolving regularly over the following years, and then came a step ahead in the direction of a national museum in 1967 when the government of Bahrain signed the convention with a cultural organization UNESCO. At this stage the architectural renaissance in Bahrain has led to many of the excavation and discovery off some archaeological sites.
In March 1968 reached the government's adviser for UNESCO, Dr. Aye. Gush visited Bahrain and spent one month inspecting archaeological sites and Ethnographic rich in different areas of Bahrain. Then he started negotiating with the Danish mission to restore Bahrain's share of the pieces discovered in the territory of Bahrain.
UNESCO report that was issued in September 1968 under the rubric of protecting cultural property and develop a museum in Bahrain the need for a national institution that support strongly the government's proposal to establish a national museum.
Discussions eventually led to a request that the Museum of Aarhus seconded Mr. Jeffrey Bibi, who had been serving as a field manager of the Danish mission for a period of twelve years, to secure the site of a museum under the guidance of Mr. Michael Rice.
It was finally the opening of the Museum of Bahrain by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman of the State Council then (Prime Minister distinguished) in the fourth of March 1970. |
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The exhibition of archaeological artifacts is the foundation of modern Bahrain National Museum and the founding of the Department of Antiquities and Museums. Since then Bahrain's archaeological research has been managed and directed by archaeological research department in Bahrain, which was affiliated to the Ministry of Education in the beginning, and has recently turned to the department of the Ministry of Information. By 1973, the number and size of the pieces on display at the museum has accumulated to the point it became necessary to establish new premises. For this reason, the museum has been moved to Muharraq, where he held several buildings were formerly used by British army officers as a restaurant.
In the month of June 1972 UNESCO sent an expert architect of Museums called engineer Aicocard to prepare a draft plan of Bahrain National Museum. Proceeding enthusiasm for the possibility of establishing a major museum in Bahrain, he recommended the establishment of consultative cultural centre and museum and library.
UNESCO has worked to raise awareness of the cultural heritage of Bahrain by sending an expert to advise on the renovation of historic buildings. It was Dr.Zaki Iskandar, a consultant who recommended renovations in Al-Khamees mosque, Bahrain Fort, Arad Fort and Beit Al-Quran, Sheikh Isa bin Ali house as well as the great palaces and buildings of Sukhair.
It was therefore a developed program of action to implement most of these recommendations. In the month of May 1982 a feasibility study and detailed design of the Bahrain National Museum were prepared by the company Cui Consult in collaboration with architects Rohan Hartvig and from Denmark. |
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The opening of the Bahrain National Museum on December 15, 1988 to be crowned the efforts made in preserving the heritage of Bahrain archeological, historical and cultural heritage. The museum complex consists of two buildings with a total area of 27,800 square meters. The building contains the original nine major galleries, educational hall, gift shop and a cafeteria, in addition to administrative offices, laboratories and warehouses for the Conservation of holdings and parking.
Although most of the previous research carried out by the Danish mission, other parties have also contributed in this area. The mission of Arab archaeological discovery was responsible for the impressive site in Saar. The French mission excavations in Bahrain Fort, while London mission focused on Mustawtanat Saar.
As a Contribution of His Highness Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa in support of the museum's holdings he presented his Buick type car in 1932 as a gift to Bahrain National Museum. His Majesty King Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, King of the country's also presented his antique ship as a gift on the opening of the Museum of Bahrain National Museum in December 1988.
The gift shop in Bahrain National Museum offers handicrafts such as baskets and pottery, fabrics, along with books, postcards and souvenirs. In addition to the cafeteria to open its doors during working hours where it offers light meals to visitors. |
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Bahrain National Museum
