UAE, Abu Dhabi – Grand Mosque

For a long time, Abu Dhabi was a small fishing village until the discovery of oil. Thanks to the revenues from the black gold mining, there has been an incredible transformation of the city and the country itself. Today we look at some of the most interesting places.

Let's start with the most monumental monument that is absolutely monumental the Great Mosque built by Sheik Zayed, which is certainly one of the most popular places in the city and certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Its construction came out on an incredible nearly $ 600 million. From the architectural point of view, it is a celebration of Islamic architecture, the construction of which lasted for eleven years.

The mosque was opened in 2007. Sheik Zayed, father of the country, did not wait for her opening ceremony, for three years before she died. It covers an area of 12 hectares and it can hold up to 40 000 believers. The mosque is 420 meters long, 290 meters wide and has 82 docks. The highest dome is 85 meters high and its outer diameter is 32 meters. People other than Muslims have access to the mosque. The mosque has a huge underground parking and the entrance is free of charge. Keep in mind that you need to wear appropriate clothing, ie no shorts or flip-flops. Women will be provided with a body covering. In the mosque, the head must be covered with a scarf.

When you are done with the mosque, believe that her visit will take you even at a quiet pace for several hours, you will certainly appreciate a place from which you will have a good view of the whole city. The Etihad Towers is located on the 74th floor with a viewing platform. Especially for the evening, you can enjoy a wonderful view. Please note that if you are not a guest of the hotel, you will have to pay a ticket for a visit to the platform.

Another possibility to enjoy the view at this futuristic city from another perspective is from the water. Pay for a boat cruise, again ideally in the afternoon, and you will not regret it. Driving offers several companies at different prices so you will definitely choose.

If you are a little interested in the history of Abu Dhabi, then you have a unique opportunity to go to the Heritage Village, this village is an authentic replica of a typical Bedouin village. This allows you to create an idea of how everyday life looked like before an oil boom occurred. In addition, in workshops, you will see craftsmanship, such as machining metals or weaving different fabrics.

GPS: 24°26'33.3"N 54°38'58.6"E

Text and photos: Maxim Kucer