Sheikh Isa bin Ali House

The house of Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa in Muharraq was built around 1800 and served as the ruler's residence for most of the nineteenth century, laid out around four courtyards, one each for the family, guests, servants and the ruler himself, with wind towers drawing air down into the rooms. It is built of coral stone, gypsum and palm wood, and the carved plaster in the main rooms is the finest in Bahrain.

What you actually see

• The four courtyards - separate spaces for family, guests, servants and the ruler.
• The wind towers - the shafts drawing air down into the rooms below.
• The carved plaster - the decorated gypsum work in the principal rooms.
• The materials - coral stone, gypsum and palm wood throughout.

When to go

November to March is the comfortable season for walking the old town. The house keeps set hours and closes on some days. Mornings are cooler.

Honest expectations

The house is unfurnished in most rooms and the interpretation is thin. It closes on some days without much notice. The surrounding old town is patchily restored.

Nearby

The Pearling Path runs past it, and Arad Fort is east.