If modern-day society had its own category of man-made wonders, Istana Nurul Iman would surely be at the top of the list. The place is regarded as the single largest house in the world by area and even holds a world record for said designation too.
Istana Nurul Iman location
Source: Pinterest
The house is located in the city of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. The property is situated in the heart of the city and is quite often regarded as the biggest star attraction of the city. Often compared to behemoths like Buckingham palace and the palace of Versailles, Istana Nurul Iman is several times bigger than even some of the largest properties in the world.
The palace belongs to Hassan Bolkiah, who happens to be the Sultan of Brunei. The palace is built on the bank of the Brunei river and is located about a few kilometres south of the capital city of Brunei. The palace is laden with tones of white with distinctive golden domes and minarets.
The palace can be seen from as far as the Persiaran Damuan Park. The property consists primarily of curved buildings and golden domes. The large golden-coloured dome on the top of the palace mosque can be seen from miles away and is surrounded by lush, thick greenery.
Along with housing the Sultanate family, the palace also holds the Guinness world record for the largest house in the world and also functions as a world-famous tourist spot.
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Istana Nurul Iman: History
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The palace was designed by Leandro Locsin, a legendary Filipino architect, and was handled by the Filipino firm Ayala international. The palace is heavily inspired by Islamic and Malay culture. The interior design was done by Khuan Chew, who is also credited with designing the interior of Burj Al Arab. The project was completed in 1984.
World’s most expensive residence
It took $1.4 billion to build this palace.
Istana Nurul Iman: Facts
If we’re talking numbers, each characteristic of the Istana Nurul Iman is mind-boggling. The palace consists of over 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall with a seating capacity of over 5000 people, a garage with a capacity of about 110 cars, five humongous swimming pools, an air-conditioned stable for all of the Sultan’s 200 ponies, a mosque with enough space to hold namaaz for 1500 people, 44 stairwells, 18 elevators.
The palace is spread out over an area of 2,152,782 square feet, all of which house about 1788 rooms. The palace also houses 564 chandeliers, and inside, you can find the prime minister’s office, the throne chamber, audience rooms and staterooms situated within the property since the Istana Nurul Iman is also a government body.
Source: Pinterest
Also known as the “palace of light and faith”, the palace has a very strict set of rules. Tourists and visitors are forbidden from entering the property throughout the year except for a period of three days during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which is a Muslim festival.
During this festival, more than 110,000 visitors are greeted by the Sultan and his family over the span of three days. Food and money are given to grown-ups and children, respectively. The festival holds immense significance for the people of Brunei and is looked forward to throughout the year.
Istana Nurul Iman stands as a symbol of light, prosperity, power, honour, wealth, and hope for the citizens of Brunei. The palace is also complimented by the presence of other symbolic buildings consisting of domes, minarets, towers, and the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque, which is regarded as the second more important structure in the city.
FAQs
Can tourists and visitors enter Istana Nurul Iman?
The palace is closed for entry to the general population and tourists throughout the year except for the entirety of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which is an important festival for the culture of Brunei.
Can people book rooms at Istana Nurul Iman?
The palace is generally closed to the commoners.
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