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The Bahrain of old had close ties with its Persian and Arabic neighbours. The ties are reflected in the ancient architecture in Bahrain. The old architecture in Bahrain utilizes coral blocks and limestone for masonry and palm trees for thatch and wood. There are some Bahraini architectural wonders. These are: The Qal'at Bahrain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site was a trading port and the capital of the ancient Dilmun civilization. The palaces of Dilmun are great examples of ancient architecture in Bahrain and there are examples too of good fortifications from the third century BC to sixteenth century AD.
Of Bahraini mosques, the most famous is the eleventh century AD Suq al Khamis Mosque. The present building has two major phases. An older flat roofed prayer hall supported on wooden columns and a newer section with a flat roof supported on arches resting on stone piers. Another historic mosque is the Abu Zaidan Mosque of eighteenth century AD, having a long hall with open sides and a multiple arched portico. Bahraini houses are noteworthy and an interesting feature is that the house is constructed around many courtyards. Most of the traditional houses of Bahrain are located in the Muharraq area of Manama. The most well known house is the 1830 palace of Sheikh Isa, now restored as a national monument. The house is built around four courtyards and in upper rooms, there are gorgeous stucco panels. The Palace should be in one's itinerary, while sightseeing in Bahrain. Examples of modern architecture in Bahrain are : The Bahrain International Circuit, which cost 150 million dollars to build and is the venue of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. The circuit is unique in the respect that the sand is kept off the track with special adhesive spraying. Beit Al Quran meaning the House of Quran in Arabic:. It is an Islamic museum at Hoora, Manama. Built in the 1990s, The House of the Quran houses a vast collectionvast collection of the Quran and rare manuscripts.
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