Bahrain’s pearling heritage shaped its economy and culture for millennia, with Muharraq preserving the last complete spatial and architectural record of this tradition. Key to The Pearling Path are the Siyadi and Murad clusters, whose merchant families played central roles in the pearl trade. The Siyadi Majlis, once a hub for international pearl negotiations, is being restored by removing later additions and rebuilding missing parts, based on historic foundations.
New extensions will display pearl collections from national and private sources. The original coral-stone and lime-plaster construction, known for its layered finishes and rare decorative motifs, guides the renovation. To distinguish the new architecture, a bespoke plaster technique exposes both layers, creating smooth, irregular surfaces. In the main, 7-meter-high exhibition hall, silver-leaf finish develops a soft patina, echoing the richness of historic interiors like the Siyadi Majlis.
