Qal’at al-Bahrain Is a Cultural Treasure

In addition to decades of experience in museum curation and management, Joel A. Bartsch possesses a master’s degree in history and is pursuing a doctorate in the field. Because of his interest in Arabic culture, Joel Bartsch has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East.

One of the most notable cultural sites in the Middle East is Qal’at al-Bahrain in Bahrain. Qal’at al-Bahrain, or Bahrain Fort in English, was built in 2300 BC and continued to be an important commercial and military site until the 1700s. The first versions of the sandstone fort were built by the Kingdom of Dilmun, an ancient civilization that gained its wealth from trade.

As the area became occupied by invaders from Greece, Persia, and eventually, Portugal, additional structures were added to the fort. After being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, a museum showcasing more than 500 artifacts from the fort’s history opened onsite in 2008.