Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort (Riffa Fort)
قلعة الشيخ سلمان بن أحمد الفاتح
Built in 1812 above the Hunainiya valley, Riffa Fort tells the story of the Al Khalifa family and is currently closed for renovation.
About Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort (Riffa Fort)
The Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort, known as Riffa Fort, stands on a ridge in Riffa looking over Wadi Al Hunainiya. Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh, then Ruler of Bahrain, built it in 1812 on the remains of an older fort. It served as both a defensive post and a family residence, and it is one of the main landmarks linked to the history of the ruling family.
Inside are rooms, a prayer area, a kitchen and storage spaces around courtyards. A modern exhibition, set in a glass pavilion in the eastern courtyard, uses audio-visual displays to trace the Al Khalifa family's history. Displays have included swords, some more than 140 years old, jewellery, daggers, hunting tools and falconry equipment. The Saffron cafe looks over the valley.
The valley below was known for the sweetness of its well water, once carried to nearby homes by a water seller called a saqqay. After falling into disrepair in the twentieth century, the fort was restored and opened to visitors, and a further redevelopment added the exhibition and visitor facilities.
The Ministry of Culture currently lists the fort as closed for renovations, with no reopening date published. It remains a striking sight from the outside and is worth watching for when it reopens, especially for history lovers and photographers. Check culture.gov.bh for updates.
Watch
Highlights
- Built in 1812 by Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh
- Views over Wadi Al Hunainiya
- Exhibition on Al Khalifa family history
- Swords, daggers and falconry displays
- Saffron cafe with valley views
- Currently closed for renovation
Good to know
- The fort is closed for renovations; culture.gov.bh lists no opening hours.
- No reopening date has been announced, so check before travelling.
- The exterior and valley setting can still be seen from the surrounding area.
- When open, it is run by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
Getting there
In Riffa, overlooking the Hunainiya valley, reached by car. Royal Golf Club and Riffa Views are close by.
Questions people ask
Is Riffa Fort open?
No. The Ministry of Culture lists Riffa Fort as closed for renovations and has not published a reopening date.
When was Riffa Fort built?
Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh built it in 1812 on the remains of an older fort.
What is inside Riffa Fort?
Restored rooms, a prayer area, kitchen and storage spaces, plus an exhibition on the Al Khalifa family with swords, jewellery, daggers and falconry items, and a cafe overlooking the valley.
