Qal’at ar-Rifa’ is a 17th-century fort located on a reef amid the ancient Riffa settlement and modern-day West Riffa. Currently, it is also known as Sh. Salman Bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort.

Riffa Fort History

Built originally under the Persian Safavid empire’s rule, Riffa Fort was converted by Sh. Salman Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was a defense and residential complex and the headquarters of the sultan in 1812.

Until 1869 Riffa was the capital of Bahrain, thus Riffa Fort held great strategical importance. It now features three elaborate rectangular chambers, each with an independent court.

The first court has a staircase and a new building on its western part. The second contains a path leading outside the fort and two identical chambers. The third is narrow, with several smaller chambers alongside the staircase on its southern façade.

Riffa Fort also contains a huge façade on its northern side, a circular garrison amid the chambers, a well, and a mosque nearby.

Visitor Information

The Riffa Fort is located near the Hunanaiya Valley, 20 km from Manama. Entrance to the fort is free.

Qal’at ar-Rifa’ Location

Riffa Fort Address: Road No 368, Rifaa, Southern Governorate, Bahrain. Get help with directions using the map provided below:

Qal’at ar-Rifa’ Map

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Qal’at al-Bahrain (also known as the Bahrain Fort) is one of Bahrain’s oldest military fortifications. This archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.

Bahrain Fort History

The Bahrain Fort is of great historical significance due to its use as the capital of the Dilmun civilization, a Portuguese garrison, a trading port, a residential building, and a religious center.

It is built out of a 12-meter-high (40 feet) artificial mound, formed by human settlers from 2300 B.C. to the 1700s, and was later rebuilt using a Greco-Roman style.

This square-shaped structure comprises high-quality stones, towers at the four corners (two of which form the main entrance), weapons, artifacts, holes in strategic locations used for shooting arrows, red tiles dating back to the Hellenistic period, coins, and a trench.

Visitor Information

Qal’at al-Bahrain is located just 4 km away from Manama, the capital of Bahrain. It is the biggest fortification in Bahrain, and it is free to visit.

Qal’at al-Bahrain Location

Bahrain Fort Address: Qal’at al-Bahrain, Al Manāmah, Bahrain. Get help with directions using the map provided below:

Qal’at al-Bahrain Map

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Arad Fort is a fort in Bahrain, a representative structure for Islamic fort architecture.

Arad Fort History

Constructed around the late 15th century, Qal’at ‘Arad is of great historical and archaeological importance.

It served as a military garrison of Portugal-occupied Bahrain during the 1520s to defend against local and Ottoman intervention.

Around 1800, when the Omanis occupied the country, the fort was the headquarters of the ruling sultan.

This square-shaped structure houses the remains of three archeological layers from three different periods, including foundations of houses of the Arad summer resort and ancient pottery pieces.

Other features include a trench, a front yard, control towers at the four corners, upper passages connecting the towers, two wells opposite the façade, a canal, and the sea in the backdrop.

Visitor Information

Qal’at ‘Arad is situated around 10 km away from the capital city of Manama, and it lies in the vicinity of the Bahrain International Airport, only 1.6 km (1 mile) away from it.

The entrance fee costs 200 fills (0.2 Bahraini dinars (approx 50 US cents).

Arad Fort (Qal’at ‘Arad) Map

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