Beit Al Quran

Beit Al Quran in Manama holds manuscripts of the Quran running from the seventh century onward, including early Hijazi and Kufic copies on parchment, miniature volumes small enough to sit in a palm, and copies written in Chinese, Indian and North African hands, which together show how far the text travelled and how differently it was written. The building carries carved Kufic calligraphy across its exterior. It opened in 1990 and was built around the private collection of a Bahraini lawyer who spent decades assembling it.

What you actually see

• The early manuscripts - Hijazi and Kufic copies on parchment from the first centuries.
• The miniature Qurans - volumes small enough to hold in a palm.
• The regional hands - copies written in Chinese, Indian and North African styles.
• The building - carved Kufic calligraphy across the exterior.

When to go

November to March is the comfortable season. The museum keeps set hours and closes on some days. Fridays have restricted hours.

Honest expectations

Opening hours are limited and the museum closes for parts of the week. Photography is restricted throughout. Labelling in English is uneven in places.

Nearby

Manama's centre is west, and Al Fateh Mosque is south.