The complex of high-rise buildings Abraj al-Bayt in Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

Many already know that the tallest building on earth is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. But few people know that the second place in this ranking is occupied by Abraj al-Bayt in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). For such a title the whole complex is obliged to the Makkah Clock Royal Tower located on its territory, the highest hotel in the world. This is one of the most beautiful architectural structures, sharply different from their surroundings.

Where is the building-record holder?

Exact address: King Abdul Aziz Endowment, Mecca. King Abdulaziz Airport is 75 km away, and Prince Muhammed is 348 km away. But, unfortunately, it is not possible to get to Mecca by direct flight from Russia. How to get here?

1. Within the framework of the pilgrimage tour, only you need to consider that tourist visas are no longer issued.
2. With a transfer in Istanbul ( Turkish Airlines), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), Dubai (Emirates) and Doha (Qatar Airways).
3. Flight of the national airline of Saudi Arabia to the city of Jeddah, and from there by bus to Mecca.

According to the laws of the kingdom, the entrance to a non-Muslim in Mecca is prohibited (data for 2014).

What is Abraj al-Bayt?

Although this complex did not reach the highest, it occupies the first place in the world in terms of gravity and total area. It is a structure of several towers surrounding a skyscraper with a crescent on top. This 120-story building, which is called "The Clock Tower". The most notable complex of buildings that attract the eye is Abraj al-Bayt in Mecca. The height of the hotel ("Royal Tower") is 601 m. Under the spire with the crescent there are huge clocks, the dial of which is visible in all parts of the city.

The complex of skyscrapers is part of the project of King Aboul Aziz, who is planning the city. Then, to build this grandiose creation, the fortress of Ajada was demolished. The construction of the architectural structure lasted from 2004 to 2012, during this time 7 skyscrapers were built, each of which bears the name given in honor of someone or something (about this a little later).

Building characteristics

To understand how much Abraj al-Bayt is huge, it is enough to look at the numbers. So, there is an amazing complex opposite the al-Haram mosque, which keeps in its courtyard the sacred shrine of the Kaaba. The total area of the building is 1,500,000 m². The tallest of the towers, which has already been written above, was built specifically to open a hotel in it. Now this 120-story building can easily provide housing for about 100,000 people who visit Mecca every year to participate in the hajj. By the way, more than 5 000 000 pilgrims come to the city every year. For the implementation of the project, $ 1,500,000,000 was spent.

One of the towers houses a four-story shopping arcade and a parking lot with more than 800 seats for cars. In others, there are apartments where local people live. Also in the complex there are 2 helipads and a business center, which are open for business tourists.

Hours Abraj al-Bayt (the photo below clearly shows them) are at an altitude of more than 400 m and have a diameter of 43 m. They consist of 4 dials, so you can see the time from anywhere in the city. By the way, they are the most highly placed in the world. The minute hand is 22 meters long and 17 meters long. Each weighs 7.5 tons, and 98,000,000 glass mosaic pieces were used to create only one.

Above the clock tower rises a 45-meter spire, connecting it with a crescent, whose diameter is 23 m, and weight - 107 tons. But this is not just the final decoration of the building. In the crescent there are also rooms, one of which is for prayer. The area of this interesting symbol of Islam is 1050 square meters, it is decorated with gold mosaic.

In the photo you can see how the complex glows in the dark. To achieve this effect, 21,000 lamps and 2,200,000 light emitting diodes were used.

Towers in the complex: height, number of storeys and year of completion

First, briefly about the towers.

When the project of Abraj al-Bayt was just developed, the maximum height of the "Royal Clock Tower" was 817 m along with the spire. However, after construction, the generally accepted length of the structure in all the reference books indicates a smaller one - 601 m.

The name "Towers of the House" (so the name of the complex is translated, which means "House of God") was given in honor of what is important for the Muslim people:

• Hajjar is the name of Sarah's maid, who was Abraham's concubine and gave birth to Ishmael from him.
• Zamzam is a well in Mecca, to which the mother of Ishmael pointed Angel Jibril.
• Makam. This is the name of a spiritual state characterized by stability, which arises on the path of perfection. The Christian analogue is the Ladder.
• Qibla. In this direction the believers direct their face during prayer (towards the Kaaba).
• Marwa and Safa are the hills mentioned in the Quran, located on the territory of the al-Haram mosque. During pilgrimage pilgrims climb Safu, turn to Kaaba and turn to Allah with their prayer.

This is an interesting value for these towers, which makes it clear that this is not just architecture, but much deeper and closer.

The crescent moon on the top of the structure

The final symbol of the building is the largest ever crescent moon in the world. When creating this 107-ton structure, the framework was not used, that is, there are no steel columns and beams that form it, which would serve as additional support. Inside the space is divided into several office spaces. Perhaps it's impressive, to pray in a special room at an altitude of 600 m.

What is in the Abraj al-Bayt complex?

1. Hotel.
2. Car parking.
3. Shopping complex.
4. Conference center.
5. Helicopter platforms.
6. Residential / apartments for local people.
7. Prayer rooms.

Two helipads and a large conference center were created for business guests of the city. The shopping center occupies 4 floors and is rich in trade pavilions of the most diverse destinations. Initially, it was planned that the car park would hold up to 1,000 cars, but in fact it turned out to be a little less - 800. Prayer rooms were designed specifically for pilgrims who will be accommodated in a hotel, the largest of which accommodates about 10,000 people.

A bit about the hotel

Hotel Abraj al-Beit in Mecca has 5 stars. In it, 858 rooms and 76 elevators, which were installed not only to deliver guests to rooms faster, they open access to prayer rooms.

It would be more accurate to say that this grandiose building includes not one but three hotels, all of them luxury. Calling the interior of the rooms, as well as public spaces here, is chic, it means expressing your opinion only by 1/100. It is so stylish, original, beautiful and modern that I want to stay in such conditions.

Also in the complex there are 9 restaurants, which serve Lebanese, Indian and European cuisine.

Visiting the complex - impressions for life

The complex of high-rise buildings Abraj al-Bayt in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) is not just a beautiful and impressive architectural structure, it is a very important symbol for Muslims they appreciate, a "beacon" for pilgrims, illuminating the way for people with their multi-million-dollar lights. Of course, the location is also important, because Mecca is the main Muslim city, and, probably, it's not for nothing that the Gentiles can not get into it.

It is also interesting that inside the building there is a lunar observatory (observation center) and a museum of Islam, which will certainly leave even more vivid impressions of visiting Mecca.