Capital Governorate is the heart of Bahrain: Manama's old souq and Bab Al Bahrain, the National Museum and Al Fateh Grand Mosque, the Adliya dining district and the waterfront towers of Bahrain Bay sit within a short taxi ride of each other.
Bahrain was the centre of the ancient Dilmun trading civilisation, later part of Islamic Gulf trade, held by the Portuguese and Persians, and ruled by the Al Khalifa from 1783. Pearling shaped Manama until oil was found in 1932, and independence followed in 1971. Today visitors read that story at the Bahrain National Museum, the gate and souq of old Manama, and its mosques, temple and church.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Capital.
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1
Dilmun civilisation
Bahrain forms the heart of Dilmun, a trading civilisation linking Mesopotamia and the Indus valley; its burial mounds and the Qal'at al-Bahrain tell survive elsewhere on the island, outside the Capital Governorate.
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2
Khamis Mosque
Tradition dates the first mosque on the site of Khamis Mosque to 692, though an inscription on the building points to the 11th century.
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3
Portuguese capture Bahrain
The Portuguese take the islands and hold them for about eighty years.
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4
Safavid rule
Persian Safavid forces take Bahrain and hold it, with local rulers, for almost two centuries.
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5
Al Khalifa rule begins
Ahmed bin Muhammad Al Khalifa, known as Ahmed Al Fateh, takes Bahrain and founds the dynasty that still rules; the Al Fateh Grand Mosque is named after him.
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6
Krishna temple built in Manama
The Shri Krishna Temple, among the oldest Hindu temples in the Gulf, is built in the Manama Souq district by the Thattai merchant community.
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7
British treaties
A series of agreements, from the 1820 General Treaty to the 1892 Exclusive Agreement, tie Bahrain's foreign affairs to Britain.
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8
Oil discovered
Bahrain becomes the first Gulf state to strike oil, at Jebel Dukhan on 2 June 1932, as the pearl trade declines.
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9
Sacred Heart Church opens
The Sacred Heart Church in Manama holds its first Christmas Eve celebration on 24 December 1939, on land given by the ruler.
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10
Bab Al Bahrain built
The Bab Al Bahrain gateway is built at the old shoreline as Manama's government entrance; it was later restored as a landmark.
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11
Independence
Bahrain becomes independent from Britain; National Day is celebrated on 16 December.
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12
Cultural landmarks open
Al Fateh Grand Mosque opens in 1987, the Bahrain National Museum is inaugurated on 15 December 1988, and Beit Al Quran follows in 1990.
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13
Kingdom of Bahrain
Bahrain becomes a constitutional monarchy under King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
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14
Bahrain World Trade Center
The sail-shaped Bahrain World Trade Center towers open, topped by three wind turbines, anchoring the new Manama skyline alongside Bahrain Financial Harbour.
Historical eras
The chapters of Capital's past.
Historical sites
Places where Capital's past comes alive.
Bahrain National Museum
Where: King Faisal Highway, Manama
Admission: About BHD 1 (~$2.66) for adults and BHD 0.5 (~$1.33) for students; some listings show BHD 2.2 (~$5.85), so confirm at the desk
Bab Al Bahrain
Where: Government Avenue, Manama
Admission: Free
Manama Souq
Where: Old Manama
Admission: Free
Shri Krishna Temple (Shreenathji Temple)
Where: Old Manama Souq
Admission: Free
Al Fateh Grand Mosque
Where: Juffair, Manama
Admission: Free
Khamis Mosque
Where: Khamis, west of Manama
Admission: Free
Sacred Heart Church
Where: Central Manama
Admission: Free
Beit Al Quran
Where: Hoora, Manama
Admission: Free; donations welcome (some listings quote BHD 1, ~$2.66)
Currency Museum (Central Bank of Bahrain)
Where: Diplomatic Area, Manama
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Capital's story.
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.