Palaces from fairy tales of Shagrazada - Fabulous Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed

24 November 2017 • Travel time: with 05 November 2017 on 05 November 2017

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"Shagriyar and Shegerzada sat down to talk, the younger sister said to the older one, 'For God's sake, my sister, tell us a story so we don't fall asleep. ' When this noble king will allow me. " The king rejoiced because he was annoyed and said, "Tell me. " _ And so began Shegerzad's story "Thousand and One Nights" 1891)

I return to my travels through the pages of stories and fairy tales "Thousand and One Nights". I have already shared the wonderful hotels I visited during my trip to the UAE. It's time to write about magical places, starting with a trip to the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed.

Visiting one of the world's most beautiful mosques is in every tour letter from a travel agent.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ranks 2nd in the world's Travelers Choice for Landmarks for two years in a row as the world's most popular landmark (first place for Angkor Wat)

Most excursions to Sheikh Zayed Mosque include a visit to Ferrari Park. Hours in the standard tour of the mosque and the mosque are not enough to experience the grandeur of the splendor of this mosque. Some hotels in the Emirates provide free transfer services for their guests to this mosque, I asked at the reception of my hotel and told when and at what time is this transfer.

You may have reached Abu Dhabi by bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai, a few steps from Al Ghubaiba Subway Station. Buses run every 20 minutes, routes to the Emirates Palace Hotel and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Let's go to Abu Dhabi.

Driving across the Dubai Highway, through Jebel Ali Port, the largest port in the world, next to the largest Free Zone in the Middle East, home to more than 3.500 large companies from around the world, we see the majestic rise of beautiful gardens. and visible from every bridge on the islands of Abu Dhabi and the city of Abu Dhabi - the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed.

The dream project of the founder and first president of the UAE, the famous Sheikh Zayed, who was also buried here. The mosque was built between 1996 and 2007. The mosque seats up to 5.000 people and is one of the few in the region open to non-Muslims.

This means that visitors from all over the world can walk through the world's largest handmade rug, look at one of the world's largest chandeliers and admire the fusion of Fatimid, Mamluk and Ottoman architectural styles, representing three different Islamic dynasties.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a modern masterpiece of architecture and design, with more than 80 marble domes on the roof, supported by 1.000 pillars and separated by four 107-meter minarets. More than 100.000 tons of pure white Greek and Macedonian marble were used in the construction. Delicate floral patterns inlaid with semi-precious stones such as lazurite, rhinestone, agate, mother-of-pearl shells, amethyst, jasper and mother-of-pearl decorate various marbles and contrast with more traditional details.

The mosque is surrounded by rectangular pools lined with various shades of blue, occupying about 8.000 m2. The pools display magnificent arcades and columns of the mosque and become even more spectacular thanks to the lighting at night.

The atmosphere impresses with an exciting interior, modern and innovative, 7 crystal chandeliers of gilded stainless steel and gilded brass, fill the prayer halls with incredible light. The chandeliers, the largest of which will respect about 12 tons, will sparkle with Swarovski crystals and shine 40 kg of 24-carat galvanized gold.

One of the most impressive features of the prayer hall is the world's largest scenic rug made of cotton from Iran and wool from New Zealand, a "plane" of fairy tales traveled from the city of Mashhad, Iran on two planes. Oriental design with exquisite arabesque motifs was made by 1.200 people, half of this hour was spent on a manual connection of 5.700 square meters. meters of cotton-based woolen thread, which is 2 billion 268 million knots.

Visitors can come to the mosque, in addition to prayer hours, check the mosque's website for prayers that change daily. An interesting free 45-minute tour (in English and Arabic) helps to explain some of the basics of the Islamic religion, pointing out some features of the interior, the schedule of such a tour can be viewed on the website of the mosque.

Smart translators are available in 11 languages, including Russian.

Etiquette to the mosque requires that all visitors wear appropriate clothing according to the rules of the mosque. T-shirts and loose pants are enough for men.

As for young ladies, the guide usually warns that women will be given free abaya before entering the mosque, and on some excursions the bus guide gives abay and handkerchiefs.

But there are cases when the guards of the mosque did not let some young ladies in, because some were dressed under the abaya in shorts and bare feet were visible, free abayas in the bright sun can shine a little. Also, girls, take socks or socks.

To avoid questions, I bought this long traditional Arab dress at a bazaar in Istanbul that year.

Sheikh Zayed Mausoleum is located at the entrance to the mosque, although only incumbent presidents and some heads of government are allowed to enter. Prayers are constantly recited by the servants. Photographs of the mausoleum are not allowed, visitors are free to photograph all other parts of the mosque, but sensitivity to the faithful must be.

There is a café and Etihad Modern Art Gallery at the entrance to the mosque. As you all saw and photographed in the mosque during the day, you can take a photo near the Emirates Palace Hotel. Outside you will see where the VIP guests of Abu Dhabi stay for the night.

Later Heritage Village, where you can photograph the skyscrapers of the capital and the Corniche promenade

but return to the mosque before sunrise to make your photos really cool

Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original