The complex of high-rise buildings Abraj al-Beit 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-Beit in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). For such a title, the entire complex is obliged to the highest hotel in the world located on its territory Makkah Clock Royal Tower. This is one of the most beautiful architectural structures, dramatically different from its surroundings.

Where is the record building located?

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

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

Under the laws of the kingdom, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca (data for 2014).

What is Abraj al-Beit?

Although this complex did not reach the highest, it ranks first in the world in severity and total area. It is a structure of several towers surrounding a skyscraper with a crescent on top. This is a 120-story building called the Royal Clock Tower. The most conspicuous set of eye-catching buildings is Abraj al-Beit in Mecca. The height of the hotel (the Royal Tower) is 601 m. Under the spire with a crescent moon there are huge watches, the dial of which is visible in all areas of the city.

The skyscraper complex is part of King Abul Aziz's city planning project. Then, in order to build this grandiose creation, the fortress of Ajyad was demolished. The construction of the architectural structure lasted from 2004 to 2012, during which time 7 skyscrapers were built, each of which bears a name given in honor of someone or something (more on this later).

Building characteristics

To understand how huge Abraj al-Beit is, just look at the numbers. So, there is a striking complex opposite the mosque al-Haram, which keeps in its courtyard the shrine of Islam Kaaba. The total area of ​​the building is 1,500,000 m². The highest of the towers, which was already written about above, was built specifically for the opening of the hotel in it. Now this 120-story building can easily provide housing for approximately 100,000 people who visit Mecca every year to participate in the Hajj. By the way, more than 5,000,000 pilgrims arrive in the city annually. 1,500,000,000 dollars were spent on the project.

One of the towers accommodates a four-story shopping arcade and parking, in which more than 800 places for cars. Others have apartments where local people live. The complex also has 2 helipads and a business center that are open to business travelers.

The Abraj al-Beit watch (the photo below clearly shows it) is located at an altitude of more than 400 m and has a diameter of 43 m. It consists of 4 dials, thanks to which you can see the time from anywhere in the city. By the way, they are the most highly located in the world. The minute hand is 22 meters long and the hour hand is 17 meters. Each weighs 7.5 tons, and 98 million glass mosaic pieces were used to create only one.

A 45-meter spire rises above the clock tower, connecting it with a crescent moon, whose diameter is 23 m and its weight is 107 tons. But this is not just the final decoration of the building. The crescent also has rooms, one of which is intended for prayers. The area of ​​this interesting symbol of Islam is 1050 square meters, it is decorated with golden mosaics.

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 Abraj al-Beit project was first developed, the maximum height of the Royal Clock Tower was 817 meters with a spire. However, after construction, the generally accepted length of the structure in all directories is less than 601 m.

The name “Towers of the House” (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 the servant of Sarah, who was the concubine of Abraham and bore Ishmael from him.
• Zamzam is a well in Mecca, to which the angel Jibril pointed to Ismail's mother.
• Macam. This is the name of the spiritual state, characterized by stability, which occurs on the path of improvement. The Christian counterpart is Ladder.
• Qibla. In this direction, believers direct their face during prayer ( towards the Kaaba).
• Marva and Safa are the hills mentioned in the Qur'an located on the territory of the Al-Haram Mosque. Pilgrims during the Hajj climb to Safa, turn to the Kaaba and turn to Allah with their prayer.

Here is such an interesting meaning in these towers, which makes it clear that this is not just architecture, but much deeper and closer.

Crescent spire at the top of the structure

The building's final symbol is the largest crescent moon ever built in the world. When creating this 107-ton structure, no frame was 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 rooms. It is probably impressive to pray in a special room at an altitude of 600 m.

What is in the Abraj al-Beit complex?

1. Hotel.
2. Car parking.
3. Shopping complex.
4. Conference center.
5. Helipads.
6. Residential apartments / apartments for locals.
7. Prayer rooms.

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

A bit about the hotel

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

More precisely, it will be said that this grandiose building includes not one, but three hotels, and all of them are luxury. To call the interior of the rooms, as well as the public areas here chic, means expressing your opinion only 1/100. Everything is so stylish, original, beautiful and modern in it that you want to stay living in such conditions.

The complex also has 9 restaurants serving Lebanese, Indian and European cuisines.

A visit to the complex - a lifetime experience

The complex of high-rise buildings Abraj al-Beit in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) is not just a beautiful and impressive architectural structure, it is a very important symbol for Muslims that they value, a “beacon” for pilgrims, illuminating the way for people with their multi-million-dollar lights. Of course, location is also important, because Mecca is the main Muslim city, and, probably, it is not in vain that non-believers can 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 a visit to Mecca.