While seeking spiritual serenity in the heart of Abu Dhabi, you cannot dare to miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. With its breathtaking architecture and cultural significance this unique mosque is an attraction sight for millions of devotees visiting the UAE. With just a glance, you can perceive the outward beauty of this architectural marvel. But the fascinating facts behind building this mosque will enhance your excitement 10 times for visiting this place.
1. The Chandeliers Here Resemble Inverted Palm Trees
Upturned palm trees are regarded as a symbol of prosperity in the UAE. The crystal chandeliers of this Mosque, therefore, offer endless prosperity to the devotees worshipping here. German Faustig designed these exotic chandeliers in the name of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.
2. It Has Materials From all Over the World
Your Abu Dhabi City tour is incomplete without visiting this exotic mosque. There is a magnificent history behind the intricate designs and the core material of the mosque. It has the largest mosaic marble floor in the world and magnificent domes with gold leaves intricately mingling with each other, showing global unity. The exotic quality mosaics you will witness here were brought from Egypt, Turkey, Greece, New Zealand, Morocco, Pakistan, Italy, China, India, Austria, and Germany as well.
3. Mesmerizing Connection between the Mosque’s Lighting System and the Lunar Cycle
If you visit the Mosque at night, you will witness how the domes of this mosque perfectly blend with the soft glow of the moon. The 360-degree lighting system of the mosque is designed in a way that perfectly replicates the bright white full moon glow during a full moon as well as the light bluish tone as the moon slowly wanes towards the new moon. On the new moon or 14th day of the lunar cycle, the mosque is lit in a deep blue color, suggesting there is no moon in the sky.
4. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Takes around 11 Years to Form
This architectural marvel got its first founding stone back in 1996. Being the passionate project of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, this intricately designed modern marvel takes around 11 years to form. Expert engineers and craftsmen from all over the world took part in building and designing this mosque, and on December 20, 2007, it finally opened for the general public.
5. It Is an Excellent Monument of Mughal, Persian, and Ottoman Architecture
You can witness how several arts and architectural forms beautifully mingle in this place. This awesome fusion of Mughal, Ottoman, and Persian traditional arts with modern engineering makes this mosque irresistible to witness during your Abu Dhabi tour.
Conclusion
Did you know these awesome facts about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque? This place is not just a place of worship but a testament to traditional and modern architecture with engineering genius. So, you must visit this unique mosque during your Abu Dhabi tour.
