Bahrain Partners with BNP Paribas to Transform Qal'at Al-Bahrain into Cultural Hub

Bahrain and BNP Paribas are restoring historical houses near Qal'at Al-Bahrain to create a cultural neighborhood and establish The Archaeology House.

Historical houses situated around the Qal'at Al-Bahrain site will be restored and renovated by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) and BNP Paribas bank.

The objective is to transform the area into a vibrant and thriving cultural neighborhood.

HE Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Baca president and Amine Bel Hadj Soulami, BNP Paribas Middle East and Africa CEO signed an agreement in the presence French Ambassador Eric Giraud-Telme.

“This partnership between Baca and BNP Paribas reflects the strong ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of France, and will ultimately, contribute to reviving the area around Qal'at Al-Bahrain,” said Shaikh Khalifa.

This agreement will restore the houses that served as the residence for Dr Monique Kervran, the head of the French Archaeological Mission, which will be called The Archaeology House.

Shaikh Khalifa added: “The site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 with valuable contribution from the French Archaeological Mission.”

The Archaeology House will be dedicated to notable cultural projects in Bahrain, including housing future archaeological missions, and displaying archaeological achievements.