[Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque]

[Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque | Muscat "A modern Islamic architectural treasure that combines faith and art"] — The largest and most impressive mosque in the country, which Sultan Qaboos himself requested to be built as a gift to the people of Oman — Construction began in 1995 and opened in 2001. Made of Indian sandstone and marble, the site area is approximately 416,000 m2. It features five minarets and a large dome with a diameter of 50 m, and adopts a design selected in an international design competition . ⸻ 📍[Location] It is located in the Bausher district, which is easily accessible from the center of Muscat, and is convenient to visit by car or tour 🕰️[Visiting times] Open to the public from 8:00 to 11:00 on Saturdays to Thursdays during non-prayer hours. Fridays are for prayer only and non-Muslims are not allowed to enter . ⸻ ✨Recommended points • The hand-woven Persian carpet (approximately 4,343 m2, 170 million knots, 21 tons) was once one of the largest in the world. The beautiful colors of the natural dyes are attractive . • The Italian-made Swarovski crystal chandelier is 14 m high and weighs 8.5 tons, making it a spectacular sight! There are more than 20 chandeliers lined up • The five minarets (1 x 90 m high, 4 x 45 m high) are powerful symbols corresponding to the five branches of Islam . • The prayer hall can accommodate up to 6,500 people, and a total of 20,000 people can worship, including the women's prayer room . • The grounds include a vast garden, fountains, and beautiful mosaics, making it the perfect space for a stroll and photos. ⸻ 🎒Tips and Advice • Admission is free, but please avoid prayer times (Fridays) • Men must wear long sleeves and long pants, and women must cover their hair and skin. Abayas are available for rent at the entrance.  . • There is a place to take off your shoes, so it is convenient to wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on. • If you stay for about 1-2 hours, you can enjoy the inside of the dome and the gardens. • If you get lost, we recommend a guided tour. You can learn the meaning of the architecture and patterns. #Absolutely free trip #Oman #Muscat