- Address: First Ring Rd, Al Hajlah, Makkah 24231, Saudi Arabia
- Years of construction: 2004-2012
- Height: 601 m
- Number of floors: 120
- Architect: Dar Al Handasah Architects
- Working hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The countries of the world have long been dating, since the time of the Tower of Babel, competing in who will build the tallest building in the world. At present, this is Burj Khalifa in the UAE. But other Middle Eastern countries do not lag behind the Arab Emirates : Abraj al-Bayt is an honorable 3rd place in this list - a grandiose complex of high-rise buildings in Saudi Arabia .
The unique skyscraper in Mecca
After the construction, which lasted 8 years and was completed in 2012, this skyscraper has become a record-holder at once for several indicators:
- The largest construction of the world by area (3rd place);
- the tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia ;
- the highest hotel in the world;
- the heaviest building in weight.
Towers
The complex of Abraj al-Beit consists of 7 towers with a height from 240 to 601 m.
The main tower is the hotel , which is called the Royal Clock Tower, or Makkah Clock Royal Tower. This is the highest construction of the complex (601 m, 120 floors).
All other towers are much lower - they are offices, conference rooms, administrative and prayer rooms, shopping arcade, etc. There are also several restaurants with different cuisines around the world and parking for 800 cars.
The names of the towers of the complex were given symbolically, according to the names of various persons in Islamic history and religious shrines:
- Zamzam is a well in Mecca , which is located on the territory of the Forbidden Mosque ;
- Hagar (or Hajjar) is the slave of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, and the mother of his son Ishmael;
- Kibla - a direction to Mecca, observance of which is obligatory for all believers during prayer;
- Makam - parking place for rest during Hajj;
- Safa and Marwa are two hills in the courtyard of the main mosque of Mecca.
Hotel
In the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar of the Hijra in this city, millions of pilgrims gather who perform the Hajj. To place them, in the valley of the world is broken the largest tent city on the planet. However, his capabilities are not enough to accept all the Haji. To this end, the construction of Abraj al-Bayt was begun, one of the towers of which is a hotel (of course, 5-star). Today the "hotel with a clock" in Mecca is able to accommodate 100 thousand pilgrims.
Clock on the main tower of Mecca
This architectural element gives Abraj al-Bayt an even more massive look. "Mecca's Clock" is the largest in the world, they are located at an altitude of 400 m, and their diameter is 46 m. They have 4 dials, oriented to different directions of the world, and it is difficult to doubt exactly the clock.
In the dark, the dials are highlighted with green and blue LED lights. Thanks to this they are visible at a distance of 17 km, and in the photo of Abraj al-Beit the night illumination looks just magical.
Sometimes the clock tower in Mecca is compared to the London Big Ben. There is a similar resemblance, but at the same time Abraj al-Bayt is six times larger and has distinctive differences. In the center of the watch dial there is a coat of arms of Saudi Arabia - a palm tree (the main tree of the country) and two crossed swords under it (they symbolize two ruling families, Al-Saud and Al-Sheikh). The inscription of the Arabic script next to the dial is the traditional Islamic phrase "basmala", or "bismillah", which begins every sura of the Qur'an: "in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Compassionate."
Crescent
At the very top of the structure is another symbol of Islam - a huge gilt crescent. The spire under it is lined with a mirror glass like a diamond, and around it are installed powerful speakers that transmit a call to prayer heard throughout the city.
The crescent itself is no less unique than the entire complex of Abraj al-Bayt. Its weight is 107 tons, diameter - 23 m, and the internal space is devoid of any fastening elements. There is a room for prayers - no doubt, the highest in the entire Muslim world.
How to get to Abraj al-Bayt?
The famous Mecca Clock is located in its very center, opposite the first sight of the city - the mosque Al-Haram. It is here that Muslims come from all over the world to worship the main shrine of Islam - Kaaba . The tower of Abraj al-Beyt is visible from anywhere in Mecca - thanks to this, its inhabitants always know what time it is.
In the city itself you can get in different ways:
- in the framework of the pilgrimage tour;
- independently in several stages: first by plane to Riyadh , then by domestic flight to Jeddah, and by bus or train to Mecca.
It should be borne in mind that stay in this city is allowed only to Muslims.