Bahrain's Pearling Path

The Bahrain Pearling Path is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Muharraq Island, covering 330,000 square meters.

Assyrian texts from 2000 BC mention pearl diving near Dilmun. Pliny was essentially the ancient world's Yelp reviewer.

From the 1850s to 1930, pearls outvalued diamonds. Trading cultured pearls remains prohibited today.

By 1930, around 30,000 divers worked the trade. Jacques Cartier did not need that many hands.

Visitors follow a 3.5 km pathway past 17 buildings and 16 public squares.

In 2013, authorities began restoring historic structures. The project won the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

The project shows government, people, and businesses working together.

Traditional crafts like Kurar embroidery were revived. A new generation learns them. Kurar embroidery is notably less wet than diving.