AN ANCIENT Bahraini village that is part of a world heritage site is set to receive a facelift with plans underway to renovate properties and set up entertainment facilities to attract tourists.
Housing units built in Bahrain Fort Village in the 1960s will be revamped while retaining their authentic traditional features, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) national heritage director Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said at the Capital Trustees Board meeting held yesterday.
“Work on the project is set to begin this year,” he added.
“A few refurbished properties will host cultural and educational activities and programmes, while others will serve as themed-houses and workshops for Bahraini handicrafts and souvenirs.”
Shaikh Mohammed said ‘themed properties’ were proposed by councillors after a Bahraini basket weaver, who had set up a kiosk near the fort, was asked to leave as he did not possess a valid licence.
“We heard about his plight and thought of renovating one of the houses in the village so that he could set up a shop there,” said Shaikh Mohammed.
“Today, the house where he works is called the ‘Baskets Home’ and so many residents and tourists interested in the craft visit the property to meet and talk to him.”
Twenty-eight families residing in the village were moved out in 2014 after the fort was granted a United Nations World Heritage Site status in 2006. Six homeowners, who refused to leave, were evicted by court order shortly before the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2019.
The families, most of whom comprised children and grandchildren, were accommodated in 71 new housing units in a new residential area overlooking the fort.
“The village was cleared and all families were relocated by 2019. However, plans to develop it had to be halted due to the outbreak of Covid-19,” said Parliament services committee chairman and area MP Mamdooh Al Saleh.
“We have been told by officials that the homes will be turned into workshops for handicrafts, seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and cafés. We will provide the necessary financing once the national budget comes in within two months.
“I love the Baskets’ Home and I think what is coming will be even better.
“Bahrain Fort remains the country’s top historic attraction and anything that gives it more prestige is welcome.”
The GDN earlier reported that the government had initially planned to relocate the families in 2006, but land allotted to the Housing Ministry for the purpose was deemed off-limits after builders discovered the ruins of a 400-year-old palace during preliminary excavations.
More than 250 people lived in the village, just metres away from the fort, when it was granted world heritage recognition.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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