Call to revive ‘Viking Houses' in Isa Town
Last surviving 'Viking houses' in Bahrain, timber-roofed dwellings in Isa Town built nearly five decades ago, may finally be repaired after the Southern Municipal Council voted to press the government for action.
Councillors have backed a proposal by Abdullah Darraj, representative for Block 804, calling on the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture to restore the wooden homes.
'These homes were handed over in 1978 and were only ever expected to last 25 to 30 years,' said Darraj. 'It's now been nearly 50. They're infested with insects, riddled with damp, and dangerously unstable.'
The houses, known locally as 'Viking houses' because of their triangular wooden roofs, are the only remaining wooden public homes in the country.
The structures cannot be expanded upwards.
The shape of the roof, combined with years of water damage, has made them difficult to maintain.
Residents report long-standing infestations of termites and rats, which have damaged electrical wiring and pipes.
Petition
A petition submitted alongside the proposal reads: 'We cannot secure a construction loan due to retirement and age. We urge the authorities to intervene to ensure family stability for those living in these houses.'
Most of the owners are pensioners. Darraj said none of them could afford the repairs. He warned that the buildings were on the brink of collapse.
The council's request was made under Article 19 of the 2001 Municipalities Law, which allows local authorities to raise matters of public concern and prioritise essential works.
The petition noted that damp had built up in several homes and that some structures had become hazardous. The request has been referred to the ministry.
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02-05-2025
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Call to revive ‘Viking Houses' in Isa Town
Last surviving 'Viking houses' in Bahrain, timber-roofed dwellings in Isa Town built nearly five decades ago, may finally be repaired after the Southern Municipal Council voted to press the government for action. Councillors have backed a proposal by Abdullah Darraj, representative for Block 804, calling on the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture to restore the wooden homes. 'These homes were handed over in 1978 and were only ever expected to last 25 to 30 years,' said Darraj. 'It's now been nearly 50. They're infested with insects, riddled with damp, and dangerously unstable.' The houses, known locally as 'Viking houses' because of their triangular wooden roofs, are the only remaining wooden public homes in the country. The structures cannot be expanded upwards. The shape of the roof, combined with years of water damage, has made them difficult to maintain. Residents report long-standing infestations of termites and rats, which have damaged electrical wiring and pipes. Petition A petition submitted alongside the proposal reads: 'We cannot secure a construction loan due to retirement and age. We urge the authorities to intervene to ensure family stability for those living in these houses.' Most of the owners are pensioners. Darraj said none of them could afford the repairs. He warned that the buildings were on the brink of collapse. The council's request was made under Article 19 of the 2001 Municipalities Law, which allows local authorities to raise matters of public concern and prioritise essential works. The petition noted that damp had built up in several homes and that some structures had become hazardous. The request has been referred to the ministry.
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