# The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi > Discover what makes the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque so breathtaking, the largest and most lavishly decorated place of worship in the UAE, drawing millions of visitors each year. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/mechet-sheykha-zayida-v-abu-dabi/ - Language: en - Published: 2023-02-09 - Categories: Hiking, Culture, Historic Sites, Museums, Tours, UAE, Events --- This is Abu Dhabi's leading landmark, drawing millions of tourists every year, yet despite the sheer number of visitors, the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is wrapped in a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. The largest and most lavishly decorated place of worship in the UAE never disappoints, and with visitors flocking in from all over the world to soak up the splendour, it is no surprise that 4 million people passed through its doors in the first half of 2019 alone. In 2018 it was named the third most popular landmark in the world by TripAdvisor, beating global icons such as St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and the Taj Mahal in India, with the top spot going to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. ![](/storage/image/prev/052023-101-1-1024x577.jpg) ## Astonishing Figures Inside the Mosque Construction of Abu Dhabi's magnificent beacon began in 1996 and took 12 years, costing around 545 million US dollars. Today it is the third largest mosque in the world, covering 22,412 square metres, an area roughly the size of nearly four football pitches. It holds more than 40,000 worshippers and boasts three Guinness World Records: for the largest hand-knotted carpet, the largest chandelier, and the largest dome in the world. Spiritual meaning and an endless list of wondrous qualities come together beneath 82 white marble domes, 1,096 exterior columns, 96 interior columns inlaid with semi-precious stones, and seven Swarovski crystal chandeliers coated in 24-carat gold, all of which make it a dazzling centrepiece of the city's cultural heritage. ![](/storage/image/prev/052023-102-1024x577.jpg) ## An Architectural Marvel The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque takes its name from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, who conceived the idea. He personally oversaw the architectural direction of the project, wanting it to be his final resting place. After his death in 2004, his body was buried in the mosque's courtyard. The striking monument was designed by Syrian architect Yousef Abdelki. Inspired by Persian, Mughal and Moorish architecture, it was a truly international collaboration involving more than 3,000 craftsmen from 38 building companies around the world. Perhaps the real luxury lies in the finest details, such as the precious stones, including amethyst and jasper, set into the columns, and the intricate floral patterns of mother-of-pearl that cover the walls. ## An Englishman in Abu Dhabi British artist and illustrator Kevin Dean, who created the floral designs that adorn the mosque, describes his involvement in one of the most fascinating architectural projects in the world as "life-changing". Professor Salma Damluji, a colleague from the Royal College of Art, put Dean forward for the project, and he was appointed by the late Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed (son of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan), who was also responsible for supervising the mosque's construction. "I sent off my portfolio and within a few days I was flying out to Abu Dhabi to meet Sheikh Sultan," recalls Dean, who has also worked at the Natural History Museum in London. "He was a wonderful man and had plenty of ideas for the mosque, as he did not want it decorated in the traditional way with Islamic geometric patterns." Dean was stunned to be given free rein on the project. "It was not only an artistic feat but in many ways a logistical one," he says. "Just imagine, I get such huge constraints on projects like book illustrations, yet here I was, lucky enough to be handed creative freedom for a project of this kind." Even though Dean worked on the project for almost four years, travelling to Italy time and again to watch the pieces being made (more than 30 million pieces of marble went into it), nothing prepared him for the moment his botanical drawings came to life around the 17,600-square-metre main courtyard. ![](/storage/image/prev/052023-103-1024x577.jpg) "I could not believe it," he says. "It was incredible and so beautiful." "For the main courtyard I used flowers found across the Middle East region. In the main prayer hall the species are native to the Middle East; by the north entrance they come from the northern hemisphere; and by the south entrance they come from the south." "Sheikh Sultan loved the idea, because he sees the Islamic faith as incredibly international, and my designs reflect that." ## A-List Visitors and Royalty Plenty of celebrities have visited the mosque, and it is especially loved by supermodels: Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Shanina Shaik, Chanel Iman and Halima Aden have all dressed in traditional attire to admire the breathtaking place of worship. In 2016 Britain's Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall began their three-day tour of the UAE with a visit to the site, while stars such as Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber and British singer Dua Lipa have all made sure this VIP landmark of Abu Dhabi featured on their Middle Eastern itineraries. ## Insider Tips for Your Visit The mosque is free to visit and open daily from 9.00 to 22.00 (last entry at 9.30pm), except on Friday mornings (Islam's holy day), when it opens from 16.30 to 22.00. The free hour-long guided tours are well worth booking, as they offer a wonderful insight into the incredible wonders, religion and culture. The sunset tour, which starts at 17:00, lets you make the most of the romantic lighting. Visitors can also expect a completely different atmosphere once the mosque is spectacularly illuminated after dark. Modest dress is a must for all visitors, as this is a Muslim site. Women are required to cover their legs, arms and head, and men must wear long trousers, though the mosque provides free traditional abayas (robes) before entry, saving you the trouble of finding suitable clothing. Everyone must remove their shoes before entering, so bring a pair of socks if you would rather not walk barefoot. You will need sunglasses while you admire the exterior, as the sun reflects off the marble surface of the courtyard. The mosque is always busy, but thanks to its vast size it never feels crowded. Insider tip: to avoid the midday heat, head there in the morning or late in the evening. ![](/storage/image/prev/052023-104-1024x577.jpg) ## Pointers for the Perfect Photo Given all the mosque's beauty, it is no wonder that everyone from budding amateurs to professional photographers regularly makes the trip to capture the perfect shot. International photographer Mark Luscombe-Whyte, a specialist in Arabic architecture, shot the mosque for the very first cover of Architectural Digest Arabia back in 2016. "Like many great buildings, I think it is the combination of scale and faith that makes the mosque so magical," he told CNN Travel. "Because we were practically alone during the shoot, you have those moments where you can pause and take in what is happening without any distractions, and truly feel the power of the building, appreciating its scale and craftsmanship." Luscombe-Whyte and his team were granted special permission to shoot before dawn, in order to avoid the hundreds of tourists who flock to the landmark every day. "We photographed the exteriors at 5am and focused on wide, grand shots. As it filled up, we used figures to create a sense of scale as well as drama," he says. For anyone hoping to capture the perfect picture, Luscombe-Whyte advises: "If you can, get there early, take one great shot and focus on it." As for the crowds, he notes that rather than trying to avoid them, it is better to include them in the frame. "A single person can bring a building like this to life," he says. ## How to Get There A taxi from central Abu Dhabi is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the mosque, as the ride takes only 20 minutes and the fare is quite reasonable. For anyone staying in Dubai, the road trip is well worth it, as the mosque sits roughly 90 minutes' drive from the Dubai Mall and is a genuine spectacle, whether you are religious or not. Pair your visit to the mosque with another Abu Dhabi landmark to get the most out of a trip to the capital. And those who would rather not flag down a local Dubai taxi (though most will happily take you to Abu Dhabi) can ask their hotel concierge to arrange a private taxi for the journey, travelling in a luxurious air-conditioned cabin fitted with iPhone charging ports.