R. Doug Wicker — Author

There are informational plaques along the collonades surrouding the courtyard. Today I’m presenting some of those plaques, as well as images of the features to which they refer. I’ll also show you more images of courtyard views, including this fun panoramic:

Let’s begin our plaque tour with the 1096 columns running along the arcades:

The columns are not the only attraction within the arcades. Make sure to look up at the intricately decorated ceilings and domes:

The sheer number of domes (82) is incredible. But the plaque describing them gives even more insight:

Of course, as with any mosque, the most impressive vertical features are the minarets. Here at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque there are four, each anchoring a corner of the four-sided courtyard:

I’ll leave you today with the two images below, and on Wednesday we’ll head inside.

For additional information on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque see:

● Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
● Mosques
● Domes
● Minarets
● Prayer halls
● Islamic architecture
● Abu Dhabi
● United Arab Emerates
● Arabian Peninsula
● Middle East

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Today I’m going to take you into the courtyard of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque complex. Here you’ll get a glimpse of just some of the many reasons why this immense undertaking took some eleven years to complete. You’ll also get a sense of the meticulous detail that went into the design and decoration of this magnificent example of Islamic architecture. I’m also going to do something I’ve not done in a while. As there is so much to learn about this building, its features, Islam, Abu Dhabi, and the area in which all are located, you fill find a list at the end of this article featuring links for more information. I’ll be posting a link list such for the next five weeks as well. I believe this will be less confusing that clicking on links embedded with the text of this series of articles.

The courtyard at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque measures 180,000 sq. ft./17,000 m². Yep. It’s impressive, to say the least. So, too, are the collonades and marble-clad Islamic arches that line the grand arcades (hallways) surrounding three sides of the courtyard.

If you think the tops of those columns are adorned with gold leaf, I’d have to say that appears to be the case:

The tile covering the courtyard is of a floral design:

The floral theme carries over to other areas of the mosque, including the column sides:

And remember those domes and minarets I mentioned in Monday’s article? I’ll leave you today with these two images taken from inside the complex:

For more information see:

● Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
● Mosques
● Domes
● Minarets
● Prayer halls
● Islamic architecture
● Abu Dhabi
● United Arab Emerates
● Arabian Peninsula
● Middle East

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)