The Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, commonly known as the Makkah Clock Tower, is an iconic skyscraper located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, adjacent to the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque). It is one of the tallest buildings in the world and serves as a major landmark for pilgrims visiting the Kaaba during Hajj and Umrah.
Key Facts About the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower
- Height: 601 meters (1,971 feet), making it the fourth tallest building in the world.
- Floors: 120 floors, with multiple sections serving different purposes.
- Clock Face: The tower has the largest clock face in the world, visible from over 25 kilometers (16 miles) away.
- Location: Directly overlooks the Kaaba, making it a key landmark for worshippers.
- Purpose: A mix of luxury hotels, shopping malls, residential apartments, Islamic museums, and prayer area
Notable Features
- The clock face is 43 meters (141 feet) in diameter, making it the largest clock face in the world.
- The hands of the clock are 17 and 22 meters (56 and 72 feet) long.
- It is illuminated by 2 million LED lights, allowing it to be seen from great distances.
- Above the clock is a massive inscription of "Allah", which is 23 meters (75 feet) tall.
- The clock also has four clock faces on each side of the tower.
- The tower contains a Lunar Observation Center used for astronomical studies and moon sighting, important for determining Islamic calendar dates.
Interesting Facts
- The top of the tower is crowned with a huge crescent that is 23 meters (75 feet) tall.
- It can accommodate up to 100,000 people at a time.
- The construction cost was around $15 billion, making it one of the most expensive buildings in the world.