Bumaher Castle, also known as Qal'at Bu Maher, is a historic fortress in Al Muharraq, Bahrain, originally constructed during the Portuguese occupation in the 16th century and reconstructed in 1840 by Shaikh Abdulla. The fort served as a crucial maritime gateway and remains steeped in Bahrain's seafaring and pearling heritage, once functioning as the main fishing harbor and pearling trade route entrance. Built in traditional Bahraini architectural style with sturdy stone walls and watchtowers, the fortress was damaged by British Naval forces in 1868 but later restored to prominence as a focal point for pearling celebrations. Today, the Bu Maher Fort Visitor's Center operates as an educational hub with three-dimensional displays tracing the fort's history and the pearling community, designated as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Pearling Path.
