Pearl Monument
The Pearl Monument (erected in 1982) was among the famous landmarks in Bahrain that visitors just couldn’t afford to miss so far. The monument was a true representation of six states in the Gulf. But unfortunately, this major landmark was demolished on 18th March 2011 by the Bahrain government, owing to the political unrest in the country.
Pearl used to be one of the main sources of income in Bahrain, with majority of the wealth in the island being generated from the pearl, prior to Bahrain’s dependency on oil.
The Pearl Monument is located near the financial district of Manama, surrounded by Bahrain Central Market, Marina, Pearl and City Center Roundabout, and the Abraj Al Lulu (Pearl Towers) apartment complex. The white Pearl Monument comprised six sails holding a giant pearl in the centre of a roundabout, wherein each sail represented one of the six gulf countries, while the pearl represents their united heritage and the famous history of pearl cultivation. The Pearl Roundabout (also known as Lulu Roundabout) was the focal point of pro-democracy demonstrations and had witnessed violence and deaths.
The Pearl Monument is depicted on the 500 fils coin in Bahrain.