As you explore the historic home of Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House, which is situated near the Muharraq souk, you will sense the ambiance of days gone by.
Things to do at Shaikh Isa bin Ali House:
- Acquaint yourself with the past of the location:
It is a beautiful old Arabic house still standing in Bahrain, having three main sections for the ruler and his family, the guests, and the servants. It also has three water wells and lots of rooms; the old traditional Bahraini architecture is incredible and exciting for the whole family to check out.
- This site offers a fascinating look into life in Bahrain before the oil was discovered:
The construction of this building took place around 1800, and it is widely regarded as among the finest examples of traditional houses that can be seen anywhere in the Gulf region.
- Admire the magnificent example from its period features architecture and design elements that take their cues from the arid landscape:
Carvings made of gypsum and wood are incredibly complex and may be found throughout the entire tower. You can see firsthand how effective this method of naturally circulating cold air is by standing beneath it in the summer, and then during the winter, you can cover it up with shutters.
During the hot summer months, the downdraft from the Badqeer (also known as a wind tower) kept the main sitting area on the ground floor at a temperature just right for comfort.