The sublime Grand Mosque Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi

An amazing architectural achievement of a exquisite taste, and maybe the most beautiful mosque in this world. If you only had one hour to visit Abu Dhabi, you would without hesitation go only to Great Mosque Sheikh Zayed. Its minarets, synthesis of several architectural styles, proudly pointing toward the starry sky. The 82 domes of Moroccan inspiration richly decorated cover an immense carpet made hand. Its white marble of a rare purity is decorated with Italian frescos refined.

Dreamed of by the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan in 80's, the construction of the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi began on 5 November 1996 and was completed eleven years later in 2007. Sheikh Zahed, who died in 2004, could not attend the achievement : he now rests in peace inside the mosque. As the image of its visionary creator, the mosque aims to be the link between cultures and wishes to welcome visitors from around the world with a message of tolerance and love. Visiting Abu Dhabi Mosque is a dive in the golden age of Islam, when arts, ideas and knowledge ruled illuminated the world.

Today, a decade after its completion, it is a young emblematic monument of the city of Abu Dhabi which enchants the visitors from around the world and whose fame begins to exceed the boundaries of the emirate.

Thousands of workers have succeeded to build the building. The design of its base has been particularly delicate because the sandy and unstable soil had to be consolidated by large quantities of concrete. 6.000 pillars of steel anchored twenty meters under the ground ensure the stability of the building.

The most beautiful materials have been sought to the four corners of the world: thirty types of marble were selected in India, Greece, Macedonia, Italy and China. A lot of gold, semi-precious stones, crystals, ceramics.

The impressive entrance inspired by the Taj evil in India gives the ton of the visit. Admire the four minarets of 107 meters each and the 82 domes. The largest in the center measures 70 meters high and 35 meters in diameter. The courtyard covered with white marble always remains cool even in full sun; it is bounded by a thousand columns covered walkway .

The Grand Mosque Check Zayed of Abu Dhabi can accommodate 10,000 faithful in its three indoor prayer rooms, and 30.000 on the outdoor esplanade. After you take off your shoes, enter the lobby of the mosque and admire the murals.

In the prayer room interior, the biggest hand made carpet of the world covers 5,700 square meters. It is composed of 70% wool and 30% cotton. Its floral pattern has been the subject of a 8 months study. Then its weaving lasted a year, and mobilized 1,200 artisans.

Under the main dome, the largest chandelier in the world has a weight of approximately 12 tonnes. It is inlaid with hundreds of Swarovski crystals from Austria. Two secondary domes have smaller candlesticks.

Admire the mendbar at the summit which the imam officiates, in sculpted wood inlaid with white gold and precious pearls.

The illuminations of the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi are spectacular: they change depending on the phase of the moon. During certain occasions, it is a true spectacle of light that takes place thanks to the 44 headlamps of high power. Maybe you will have the chance after nightfall to attend one of these magical shows.

The hundreds of mosques in Abu Dhabi are not open to non-Muslims, with the exception of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Zayed which opens very widely its doors to tourists from around the world.

It is possible to visit every day from 9am to 10pm (opening at 4.30 pm on Friday because of the big prayer). Most visitors opt for a self-guided tour, but you can choose a free one-hour guided tour. Visits are interrupted several times a day and for about thirty minutes for daily prayers. It can be clever to enter just after a prayer and thus have the spaces completely free to admire the view and take photos. These schedules are likely to change better to check their update on the official website.

To get to the mosque which is away from other tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi, the simplest solution is to take a taxi (count around 50 dirhams from the ledge, all drivers know). If you are driving, head to the tourist car park to the south (see the map below, beware the sector is a large motorway junction). The great Cheikh Zayed mosque is on the red big bus tours circuit accessible to day pass holders. Allow 30 minutes from the Heritage Village. City bus 054 from the Abu Dhabi bus terminal (near Al Wahda Mall) is the most economical option (2 dirhams each way).

We advise you to visit the Grand Mosque at the end of the afternoon. In full day, the white marble may be too sparkled. Once night falls, we recommend you to continue your evening at The hotel Shangri La and the souk Qaryat al Beri, or in the Ritz Carlton even closer.

It will be asked women to veil for the visit, but not a concern ladies, everything is perfectly organized for tourists: an abaya will be graciously loaned and employees will explain you how to use, the promise of beautiful souvenir photos. For the gentlemen, they will be asked to wear proper clothing with trousers, therefore do not wear a short.

The outskirts of the Grand Mosque are currently in work for the construction of underground car parking. If you come by car, use the visitor parking to the north (access from Airport Road). The map below should help you.

The site is relatively isolated and does not have restaurants, except the café in the souvenir shop. However, after a few minutes taxi drive to a water channel separating Abu Dhabi island to the continent, you can reach sublime hotels with plenty of bars and restaurants, some of which have a very beautiful view on the mosque.

Just next to the mosque The Ritz Carlton (even if it is just on opposite side of the road, take a taxi because the pedestrian access is too complicated) has several bars and restaurants (Arabic cuisine, Asian, Italian and international). Our blow of heart is the restaurant lounge Li Jiang which is one of the best Asian restaurants of the city. If you take a drink in the sofas in terrace, you can enjoy a beautiful view on the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi.

On the other side of the channel, The Fairmont Hotel and The Traders Hotel. The beautiful complex of the Shangri La and its souk Qaryat al Beri is without hesitation the best choice for amazing going out experience.

Hotels with no beach are in the range of 350AED and 600AED the night). Opt for the two hotels Rotana in the North of the mosque. There is also the faded The Officer's Club in the South.

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