The Makkah Royal Clock Tower is the tallest structure among the seven skyscrapers of the Abraj Al-Bait and the third tallest building worldwide. Abraj Al Bait Mecca is owned by the Saudi Arabian government and features the world's biggest clock face on top. Its architectural style is postmodernist classical, similar to other buildings in the rapidly expanding capitalist country.
Fascinating History of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower
The Abraj Tower Makkah, also known as the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, was built between 2002 and 2012. It is part of the Abraj Al-Bait complex, which was built to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims visiting Mecca, the most sacred place for 1.8 billion Muslims across the globe. The tower stands at 601 meters and with 120 floors. Undoubtedly, it comes under the list of top attractions in Saudi Arabia that you must not miss while in Mecca.
Abraj Makkah: Development and Architecture
To accommodate the growing number of tourists, the Saudi Arabian government renovated Mecca by constructing numerous hotels. One of these buildings is the Abraj Makkah, which was created as part of the King Abdulaziz Endowment Project to expand the area surrounding the Grand Mosque. The Lebanese architecture firm, Dar Al-Handasah, designed the Abraj Al Bait with a traditional Islamic style but you can also notice the significance of London's Big Ben Tower, which resulted in a much larger structure that incorporates Islamic components.
Tourism and Sightseeing in Abraj Tower Makkah
This stunning tower has four levels, and the visit begins at the highest level, where you can learn about the universe and galaxies through visual and audio illustrations. It also features many exciting attractions that will win your heart, such as the Clock Tower Museum on the uppermost floor of Makkah Clock Tower with an observation deck, a hotel, a shopping mall, and a prayer room. These fascinating interests make it one of the best places to visit in Mecca. Furthermore, you can also enjoy shopping at the Abraj Al Bait which offers classic to stylish clothes and many more items.
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Sustainability of Abraj Tower
The tower is super sustainable with approximately 233 solar panels in blue and purple hues custom-cut for the curved spire. The panels house 11,000 photovoltaic cells and power the four clock units. And to withstand daily temperature gaps of up to 70°C, the Abraj Tower Makkah has a facade that features custom-made glass mosaic tiles that reflect UV rays. That is just mind-blowing, isn’t it?
More About Abraj Al Bait Mecca
Location: Abraj Al Bait is situated in the heart of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Its address is Al Malawi, Makkah Saudi Arabia.
Opening Hours: The tower opens every day at 18:00 and closes at 12:00.
A visit to the Abraj Al Bait Mecca is one of the most exciting place that you must explore. The tower features many shops and restaurants in the area. If you are visiting Mecca, be sure to check out this amazing places for an exciting adventurous trip. Also, take advantage of the Saudi Arabia tour packages to explore several other tourist attractions and beautiful landscapes.
Abraj Al Bait Mecca - FAQs
The Abraj Tower Makkah is popular for its postmodernist new classical and traditional Islamic style including its hotels and malls.
The best way to get to the Makkah Royal Clock Tower is to travel to Mecca and then make your way to the tower either by walking or taking a taxi.
Some of the amazing things to do in the Abraj Al Bait Makkah include shopping, exploring the Clock Tower Museum, and more.
The excellent time to visit the Abraj Makkah is one to two hours before sunset for the best views.
Luxurious hotels, shopping malls, and the Clock Tower Museum are the most popular attractions in the Makkah Royal Clock Tower.