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Riffa Fort

An eighteenth-century fort above the Hunanaiya valley, restored as a museum.

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Typefort
WhereSouthern
Nearest cityRiffa
Best seasonNovember to March
Time to allowAn hour or two
Getting thereAt East Riffa south of Manama; road, around twenty five minutes
EntrySmall fee

Riffa Fort, properly Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort, stands on the edge of the Hunanaiya valley at East Riffa, built in 1812 on earlier foundations and used as the ruler's residence through the nineteenth century. It was restored in the 1980s and holds a museum of the period. The position on the escarpment gives a long view across the valley, which is why it was built there.

What you actually see

  • The valley position - the fort set on the escarpment above Hunanaiya.
  • The 1812 building - the ruler's residence through the nineteenth century.
  • The restored interior - rooms furnished to the period as a museum.
  • The long view - the outlook across the valley the site was chosen for.

When to go

November to March is the comfortable season. Evenings are when the fort is floodlit. It keeps set hours and closes on some days.

Honest expectations

Restoration is heavy and much of the fabric is rebuilt. The interior displays are limited. The valley below has been developed and the view is not what it was.

Nearby

Riffa is around it, and Manama is north.

What to pack for Riffa Fort

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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