Istana Nurul Iman

Assalamualaikum and Peace be upon all of you.
Welcome to my blog.

Aerial view of Istana Nurul Iman

Istana Nurul Iman

Istana Nurul Iman is our topic for this month Architectural segment. Belong to HRH Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, it is currently the World’s Largest Residential Palace. The area of the Palace is about 2 152 782 square feet. The palace name literally means, Palace of the Light of Faith. The palace is designed by Leandro V. Locsin, and built by the Filipino firm, Ayala International. The interior is designed by Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International.

Owner of the Palace, HRH Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with his 2 consorts, Queen Saleha and Princess Consort Azrinaz Mazhar

In its interior, it is consist of 1788 rooms, 564 chandeliers, 44 stairwells, 18 elevators, 13 satellite dishes and 257 bathrooms. The cost of the palace is $US 400 mil. Of course it is not a big deal to a monarch who has an estimate of $US 40 billion in his account. It is both the seat of Brunei's government and the location of the prime minister's office. In addition to Audience and State Rooms, there is a Throne Chamber used for various occasions such as the proclamation of the Crown Prince and the annual Birthday Investiture. Also includes, mosque for 1500 people, a banquet hall for 4000 guest, stables, airplanes and helicopters.

Waiting Hall

The palace is not open for public except for 10 days of Ramadhan for Tadarus and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

WORLD LARGEST PALACE

In term of World Largest Palace, the Nurul Iman Palace is competing with others around the world, namely the Buckingham Palace (828,818 square feet), Royal Palace of Madrid (1,453,122 square feet), Stockholm Palace and not to mention The Forbidden City.