Halat Bu Maher (), sometimes abbreviated to simply "Al Hala" (), is a neighbourhood of
Muharraq
Muharraq () is Bahrain's third most populous city and served as its capital until 1932 when it was replaced by Manama. The population of Muharraq in 2020 was 263,373.
Muharraq served as the country’s capital until 1932. It rose to prominenc ...
,
Bahrain
Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...
. It used to be a separate
island
An island or isle is a piece of land, distinct from a continent, completely surrounded by water. There are continental islands, which were formed by being split from a continent by plate tectonics, and oceanic islands, which have never been ...
, but after coastal expansion via land reclamation and dredging, the island has merged with
Muharraq Island
Muharraq Island (), formerly known as Moharek, is the second largest island in the archipelago of Bahrain after Bahrain Island. It lies east of the capital, Manama, on Bahrain Island.
History
The island is named after Muharraq City, the form ...
, and the former settlement integrated as a neighbourhood of Muharraq city.
Historical Significance
Located at the southern tip of Muharraq city, the neighborhood is home to Bu Maher Fort, a historic structure that is part of the
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
-listed
Bahrain Pearling Trail. The fort, constructed in 1840, is believed to have been built on the remnants of a 16th-century
Portuguese fortification. The area also played a key role in Bahrain’s public health history, serving as a quarantine camp in the early 20th century for travelers arriving by sea or air. In 1930, it was specifically used as a quarantine station for smallpox containment.
The
Al Hala Club football team is based here.
Key Features
* Bu Maher Fort – A partially restored historical fort, with a single remaining tower.
* Visitor Center – The starting point of the Bahrain Pearling Trail, providing insights into the country’s pearling heritage.
* Halat Bu Maher Health Center – A 24-hour medical facility offering a range of healthcare services to the local community.
* Strategic Location – Overlooks and controls the straits between Bahrain and Muharraq, as well as the bay between Muharraq Town and Arad Fort.
Modern developments
Halat Bu Maher is now physically connected to the Muharraq mainland via a narrow isthmus and is also accessible by boat from the Bahrain National Museum. It is home to the Al Hala Club, a local football team. The neighborhood continues to serve as an important cultural, historical, and community hub within Bahrain, blending heritage preservation with modern infrastructure.
References
Populated places in the Muharraq Governorate
{{Bahrain-geo-stub