Souq Al Qaysariya: Renovation of Muharraq’s oldest industry in Bahrain is complete

Following more than a year of coronavirus-related restrictions, Bahrain’s culturati safely collected in the pedestrianised roads of Souq Al Qaysariya in the island of Muharraq before this week to enjoy its official opening, pursuing years of intensive restoration and redevelopment.

There has been much anticipation for this milestone, because the historic trading hub was saved from demolition by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities back 2010.

Since then, a few of the five buildings comprising the site had recently been completed, including the charming, historically styled Siyadi Shops, among which has housed the same tenant for approximately 70 years.

To mark the opening, the brand new shops of the primary Qaysariyah Suq Road were filled with pop-ups selling localized fashions, jewellery, art, handicrafts and more. Shortly, a tender procedure will begin to determine the long lasting residents of the striking new retail spaces.

The main goal of the souq regeneration is definitely to recreate a synergistic nexus point for the kingdom’s designers, makers, traders, shoppers and visitors.

That mission seems to currently be fait accompli, as demonstrated by the prevalence of shopping bags, business card swaps and influencer posts on opening day.

This revamped iteration of 1 of the country’s oldest markets adds another layer to the historic and commercial significance of the area: architecture that's unique to the world and will attract attention from near and far.

It's the project where Dutch architect Anne Holtrop first conceived the soil due to shuttering strategy, whereby imperfect concrete panels are formed by casting them directly on to the planet earth at the building site. Originally envisaged as a competent method of paying homage to the neighbourhood’s centuries-older coral stone, Holtrop has since advanced this system in nearby tasks, such as for example at the recently opened cultural blog The Green Corner, getting international acclaim.

Juxtaposition is apparent within every aspect that is completed, aswell as found in the interplay between each component project. The towering heights and sprawling expanse of the lately accomplished Visitors' Centre emphasises the tiny and intimate being of the neighbouring shops.

Such aesthetic diversity and richness goes some way in reflecting the scale and vibrancy of the kingdom’s historic pearling economy.

The richly textured facade of the brand new souq buildings feels simultaneously futuristic and carved by time. This contrast of latest and old is usually a defining characteristic of not only this project, but of the Pearling Way initiative all together.

Inscribed to Unesco's World Heritage Site List in 2012, Muharraq’s Pearling Route stretches around 3.2 kilometres; from oyster beds in the sea, at night shore and Qal'at Bu Mahir fortress, to 17 structures representing all of the facets and major statistics of the pearling industry that manufactured up the island’s market during its heyday as a booming geographical centre for the gems.

This project has been in the works for at least a decade, and was scheduled to be completed in 2021, but through the souq start Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities's director-general for culture and arts, revealed this date has been pushed back again to the finish of 2022. “We've slowed down a little bit because of Covid measures … but that provides us more time, additional time to build the whole lot.”

She explained that the combo of modern and traditional methods to preserving the heritage of the historic capital city is inherent to the vision and approach of the cultural authority.

“Every region and every city has its own characteristics, every city offers its magic. For all of us doing work at the cultural authority, we wish to ensure that the magic we've within our fabric within Bahrain is shown, is normally celebrated, sometimes appears.”

There are several historic structures left to be upgraded on the Pearling Path, together with public parks yet to be implemented. Four multi-storey car parks will be being developed to support the predicted boon of people to the area.

Beautification efforts that are actually sensitive to the local heritage of adjacent areas are actually also well under approach. It was this info that stood out most to lead architect Holtrop as he viewed his project become more active through the opening event.

“I think it’s really pleasant for the whole neighbourhood they have done up the encompassing shops, especially with all the signs in hand-painted Arabic calligraphy,” he said. “It certainly feels linked and local now.”