A tour in Abu Dhabi would not be complete without dropping by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, is just a two-hour drive from Dubai. If you're planning a visit, don't miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It's not only one of Abu Dhabi's most visited landmarks but also the nation's largest and most splendid mosque, making it an essential destination.
Inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
(Source: Barnyard Dawg, 12/2024).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Design, construction and architecture.
The Grand Mosque's construction spanned from 1994 to 2007, culminating in its inauguration in December 2007. The complex spans roughly 290 by 420 meters (950 by 1,380 feet), encompassing over 12 hectares (30 acres), not including the surrounding landscaping and parking areas. The building's main axis is oriented approximately 12 degrees south of due west, directing it towards the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The mosque was built under the guidance and supervision of Sheikh Zayed, who was buried here after his death in 2004. It features 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the largest chandeliers. The mosque was designed under the management of the Syrian architect Youssef Abdelke, and three other architectural designers from Syria who completed the design and worked on developing it, Basem Barghouti, Moataz Al-Halabi, and Imad Malas.
The mosque's architect Yusef Abdelki took inspiration from a number of sources: the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria, designed by Mario Rossi in the 1920s; the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan; and other references of Persian, Mughal, and Indo-Islamic architecture. The dome layout and floorplan of the mosque was inspired by the Badshahi Mosque. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish, and its minarets classically Arab.
In a joint-venture between Italian contractors Impregilo and Rizzani de Eccher, more than 3,000 workers and 38 sub-contracting companies were conscripted in its construction. The mosque was completed under a second contract by a Joint Venture between ACC and Six Construct (part of Belgian company BESIX Group) between 2004 and 2007.
Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their long-lasting qualities, including marble stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. Artisans and materials came from many countries including Syria, especially from Damascus and Aleppo, and some other countries such as India, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, North Macedonia and the U.A.E.
The mosque is the third largest in the world after the mosques in Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia, and has the capacity to accommodate more than 40,100 worshippers. The main prayer hall alone can hold over 7,000 individuals. Additionally, there are two smaller prayer halls, each with a capacity of 1,500, including a dedicated women's prayer hall.
At each of the courtyard's four corners stand minarets, soaring to approximately 107 meters (351 feet) in height. The courtyard itself, showcasing a floral design, spans roughly 17,000 square meters (180,000 square feet) and is acknowledged as the world's largest marble mosaic. Both the exterior and interior of the mosque are clad in white marble, which bestows a tranquil and grandiose aura. This marble is intricately inlaid with precious stones such as lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone shell, and mother of pearl.
Inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
(Source: Barnyard Dawg, 12/2024).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Fun fact.
Given that the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is among the most magnificent mosques globally, it was inevitable that Hollywood would seek it out as a filming location. The UAE government is quite accommodating, permitting the use of the mosque for filming by foreigners, provided they present and treat it with due respect. Notable films featuring scenes at the Grand Mosque include "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol."
Inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
(Source: Barnyard Dawg, 12/2024).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Opening hours and admission fees.
You can the visit the grand mosque anytime between 9:00 to 22:00 from Saturday to Thursday. On Friday you can visit from 9:00 to 12:00, after which it will close briefly to accommodate Friday prayers, opening again from 15:00 to 22:00. Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is absolutely free!
Night tours are available between 22:00 and 6:00, at a modest cost of AED 20 (less than 5 Euro/USD), look for "Sura Tour" on the website ("sura" is Arabic for "night walk"). A tour around the mosque takes approximately 40 minutes. The night tour is especially captivating, offering the chance to explore the mosque in a serene, uncrowded atmosphere, bathed in moonlight and architectural lighting. It also allows visitors to avoid the intense daytime heat and the harsh glare of the sun reflecting off the white marble. It's an excellent option if you have a long overnight layover or transfer.
Respectful clothing is a requirement; visitors must cover their shoulders and knees before entry. Women must wear abayas. Photography and videography are permitted, but you may be required to delete any photos if caught displaying certain hand gestures, and videos if it's evident that you're vlogging or creating content for social media. Avoid flash photography and shutter sounds.
Registration via the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre's reservation system is mandatory. You can obtain a free access pass online at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. While visiting the mosque, you must also be able to present a QR code, which you can acquire at no cost from the kiosks situated in the food court of the mall below the mosque.
For more and up-to-date information, please visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre
How to claim this Virtual Cache?
- Take a selfie (optional) and/or a photo of an item displaying your geocaching name, taken inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with one of its distinct features in the background. Share your experience with the world, additional photos of your favourite vistas are welcome!
Note: If you send a selfie via private message, be sure to mention this in your log!
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024/2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache.
Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.