SHEIKH ISA BIN ALI'S HOUSE

The former royal residence of Muharraq, built in the early ^19th century, welcomes visitors who have come in droves to admire one of the finest examples of traditional Bahraini architecture. This vast house was the seat of Bahraini power from 1869 to 1932. The Emir's political importance is reflected in the social organization that defines its layout: one part was reserved for servants, another for guests, a larger one for the Emir's (large) family, and finally the royal quarters, occupied by the descendant of the conqueror Salman Al Khalifa. His majlis (reception hall) is located just below the badgir, a wind-powered tower. Invented in Persia, this system captures air currents and drains the resulting cool air to the lower floors. Women used to leave their washing out to dry on the badgir, thereby adding humidity to the air-conditioned air. A trap door provided protection from the cold in winter. And even today, standing in the royal majlis, the temperatures are very pleasant. In the rest of the house, most of the rooms are empty, but in half an hour you'll have time to walk around and admire the delicate arches, antique wooden doors, inner courtyard and palm-leaf roofs. Nearby, you can also see the school and mosque built by the royal family.