Architecture sights in Dubai
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A
Burj Khalifa
Call it impressive or preposterous, there’s no denying that Burj Khalifa is a ground-breaking feat of architecture and engineering. The world’s tallest building pierces the sky at 828m (seven times the height of Big Ben) and opened on 4 January 2010, only six years after excavations began. Up to 13,000 workers toiled day and night, at times putting up a new floor in as little as three days. Inside Dubai’s own ‘Tower of Babel’ is a mix of offices and apartments; at the time of writing, the sleek Armani Hotel was scheduled to open late in 2010. For visitors, the main attraction is the Observation Deck ‘At the Top’ on the 124th floor. From such lofty heights yo…
reviewed
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B
Burj al-Arab
We’re suckers for trivia, so let’s kick off by telling you that the lobby of the Burj al-Arab is so high, the Statue of Liberty would fit quite nicely into it. Or that the sail-shaped building tops out at 321m, just a few metres shorter than the Eiffel Tower. And here’s one more: 1600 sq metres in the hotel are sheathed in gold leaf. OK, that’s enough. In its first decade since opening, the Burj al-Arab has been more than just the iconic symbol of a booming city in the sand; it has challenged preconceived ideas of what an Arab country in the Middle East can achieve. It’s built on an artificial island 280m offshore from the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, to which it is linked by a …
reviewed
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C
Jumeirah Mosque
If you want to learn about Islamic religion and culture, beat a fast track to this splendid, intricately detailed mosque (stunningly lit at night). It’s the only one in Dubai that’s open to non-Muslims, but only during guided tours operated by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which wrap up with a Q&A session. There’s no need to pre-book; just register at the mosque before the tour. Show up dressed modestly (no shorts, back and arms should be covered and women need to wear a headscarf) and remove your shoes before entering. Cameras are allowed.
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D
Grand Mosque
More than 50 small and large domes lorded over by Dubai’s tallest minaret (70m high, if you must know) give this huge mosque its distinctive silhouette. It’s much younger than it looks, dating back only to 1998, but is in fact a replica of the original one from 1900. As well as being the centre of Dubai’s religious and cultural life, the original Grand Mosque was also home to the town’s kuttab school, where children learned to recite the Quran from memory. Like all Dubai mosques except Jumeirah Mosque, it’s off limits to non-Muslims.
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E
Bait al-Naboodah
Back in the 19th century, Sharjah’s ‘who’s who’ lived just inland from the Corniche, between Burj Ave and Al-Maraija Rd, today’s so-called Heritage Area. Many of the beautiful residences have been authentically restored using traditional materials such as sea rock, coral and gypsum. Just take an aimless wander through this labyrinthine quarter to come upon the 1845 Bait al-Naboodah, a former pearl trader’s home.
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F
Sheikh Juma Al-Maktoum House
A magnificent Shindagha courtyard house, this one has seen stints as residence, jail and police station. Today it houses a thorough exhibit on traditional Arab architecture. This is the place to learn how those wind towers really work and why there are different dwelling types along the coast, in the mountains and in the desert. Some galleries feature informative videos, which the caretaker will be only too happy to start up.
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G
Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque
This simple yet striking mosque in the textile area of Bur Dubai Souq is notable for its sensuous, bulbous domes and gently tapering minaret. Its outline is best appreciated at night from Baniyas Rd in Deira, on the opposite side of the Creek, when the mosque and neighbouring wind-towers are beautifully lit up – it makes a postcard-perfect shot.
reviewed
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H
Iranian Mosque
Shiite mosques are noteworthy for their exquisite faïence (green-and-blue-coloured and glazed) tile work covering the façade and main dome. A stunning Dubai example is the Iranian Mosque in Satwa – and the Iranian Hospital, adjacent and opposite, carries this same type of tile work.
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I
Bastakiya Quarter
With its labyrinthine lanes lined with traditional wind-tower architecture, the old Bastakiya quarter on the waterfront east of Bur Dubai Souq is a magical place to explore.
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