Learn about the handcrafting history of Al Jasra, a coastal village on the western coast of the country with a similar crafting heritage to other Bahrain villages. At the Al Jasra Handicraft Centre, visitors can purchase local wares, including woodworking, basket weaving, pottery, cloth and textile weaving and palm weaving products. Watch artisans creating these traditional functional and artistic pieces as local residents have done for centuries.
While in Al Jasra, see the historic and eponymous traditional house its known for. The Al Jasra House, or Bait Al-Jasra, was built in 1907 by Shaikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa. The house was also the birthplace of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, in 1933, who served as the Emir of Bahrain until 1999. He drove economic, political, cultural and education changes in the new nation, overseeing the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1971.
The home was constructed of local coral stone and palm tree trunks, while the courtyard is lined with tiny conical shells. After falling into disrepair, the house was restored in 1986 and is open to visitors today. The house’s open hours are erratic, so call ahead to confirm you’ll be able to get in.
Take a few moments to admire the minarets and half domes of the Al Jasra Mosque, just north of the handicraft center. Built in the 17th century, the mosque has been a popular spot for Muslim pilgrimages for holy days. Non-Muslims can visit Saturday through Thursday.
On your way back to Manama from Al Jasra, be sure to visit the Bahrain Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed, ancient archaeological site. Explore the well-preserved ruins to learn more about the Al Jasra region’s significance. The fort is considered a tell, an artificial mound comprising layers that tell archaeologists about the area’s occupation, in this case, as far back as 2300 B.C.
Find Al Jasra and the Al Jasra Handicraft Centre 11 miles (17 kilometers) southwest of the city of Manama. For a look at cultural heritage, Bahrain is an excellent destination. Manama will have the widest array of accommodation choices.
