The very name of the country, the Kingdom of Bahrain, sets the mood of all travelers to the anticipation of a tale of luxurious palaces and blossoming palatial gardens. Wonderful exotic birds sang their songs in paradisaic gardens, and sheiks lived in their palaces with lovely princesses, all the while the kingdom enjoyed their rule.

Even though such stories look larger-than-life and improbable, there are palaces in Bahrain where sheiks did live with their beautiful families. Today, there are museums open to the public. Everyone can enter such a palace, see how the dynasties of the kingdom lived, what decoration surrounded them every day, what exuberant furniture and artworks delighted their eyes.

One of these beautiful palaces, a spectacular example of traditional Islamic architecture, is the Shaikh Isa bin Ali House, located on scenic Muharraq Island. The magnificent historical and cultural landmark of Bahrain was erected at the end of the 19th century and named after the ruler of the kingdom, Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa, the great-great-grandfather of the current king of Bahrain. Throughout its history, the palace has been home to royal dynasties where only high-ranking guests were invited.

The huge palace is abundantly decorated with plaster moldings and massive wooden doors with fine thin carvings. Inside, behind high stone walls, four spacious courtyards are hidden safe from prying eyes, where royal children played, young sheiks confessed their love, and dangerous plots might have been schemed.

Nowadays, the Muharraqa history museum, the main landmark of the island, popular among foreign tourists, has placed its extensive collections in the palace.

You can get to the palace as part of an organized tour or on your own. All information is presented in two languages, Arabic and English. However, even not knowing the language, you won’t get lost in the palace, and you can always admire oriental splendor without words.

Admirers of the palatial architecture of the Arab world will undoubtedly be delighted with another landmark of the island, located by the Shaikh Isa bin Ali House. The tremendous architectural complex of the Siyadi mansion and mosque was built for a pearl merchant who was famous in the kingdom. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage. Besides, on Muharrak Island, there is a unique architectural landmark, the Bahrain Pearling Path. It includes seventeen ancient buildings, three oyster colonies, and the iconic Bu Maher Fort.