Bab Al Bahrain, Historic city gate in Manama, Bahrain.
Bab Al Bahrain is a limestone structure featuring traditional Islamic architectural details with a central archway connecting two symmetrical wings at the entrance to Manama's main market. The building displays a blend of historical construction methods and later design modifications.
The gate was constructed in 1945 under British administration to mark the entrance to the commercial district and function as a customs building. In the 1980s, significant modifications introduced Islamic design features into its structure.
The gate marks the entrance to a traditional market where merchants sell textiles, spices, and gold in narrow winding alleys. Visitors can observe how local traders and shoppers move through this space as part of daily commerce.
The gate sits at the entrance to the market district and can be reached on foot from the city center. Visiting early morning or late afternoon gives the best sense of how locals use this space throughout the day.
The structure underwent a complete redesign in the 1980s when colonial architectural features were replaced with Islamic design elements. This transformation turned it into a symbol of renewed cultural identity for the nation.
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