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Bab Al Bahrain means 'Gate of Bahrain'. Built by the British in the 1940s, Bab Al Bahrain once stood at the water's edge. Due to extensive land reclamation in the later years, one needs to walk more than 10 minutes to get to the sea.
When it was originally designed by Sir Charles Belgrave in 1945, it housed the government offices of the time and overlooked the sea. The sea has long been reclaimed. Government Avenue, which runs alongside Bab Al Bahrain, and the new highway that leads to Saudi Arabia were built on reclaimed land. Currently, the Bahrain Financial Harbor is being constructed on further reclaimed land. Charles Dalrymple Belgrave was a British citizen and adviser to the rulers of Bahrain from 1926 until 1957. ...
1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ...
The monument itself was refurbished in 1986 to incorporate Islamic architectural features. Today, the ground floor now houses the tourist information office and a handicrafts shop. The monument essentially consists of a huge arch, below which runs a road, which is often referred to as the entrance to the Manama souq (marketplace). 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Government Avenue, which runs in front of Bab Al Bahrain, contains many major banks and business establishments. The Government Avenue is perhaps so-called because the offices of the Manama municipality are located on it. The Gold City (different from Gold Souq) is a shopping complex for gold ornaments and is also located on Government Avenue. The Indian jewellery giant Alukkas has a branch in Gold City.
Manama Souq
 Entrance to the souq through Bab Al Bahrain Manama Souq is a bustling marketplace with numerous traditional as well as modern shops. The souq (marketplace) is located in the heart of the city, near Bab Al Bahrain. The souq stretches from Bab al Bahrain road on the east side, Al Khalifa Road on the north, Lulu Road on the west and Sh. Abdulla Road on the east. One can see and buy all kinds of spices, fabrics, kaftans, thobes, handicrafts, souvenirs, dry fruits, nuts, and any other thing one can imagine. A thobe is an ankle-length garment with long sleeves, similar to a robe. ...
The crowd as well as the traders in Manama souq consist of Bahrainis as well as expatriates from countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and neigbouring Gulf countries. The souq is frequented by tourists from all over the world to experience the traditional setting of the marketplace which has been preserved over the years.
The Gold souk is also worth visiting and all the gold is hallmarked and pure. One can only find 18K and 21K gold items. 10K and 14K are not usually acceptable as 'gold' jewelry. The Bahraini pearls are the only natural pearls in the world today and they are one of a kind. They are not cultured but natural. A hallmark is an official marking made by a trusted party, usually an assay office, on items made of precious metals (platinum, gold and silver) that guarantees a certain purity of the metal. ...
For other things called pearl, see pearl (disambiguation). ...
A cultured pearl is a pearl created by a pearl farmer under controlled conditions. ...
Glimpses from the Souq | |  A traditional spices shop | |
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