The most beautiful monuments in the Arabic world

The Arabic world can be proud to have rich and beautiful historical heritage. It even has some of the world most beautiful monuments. These architectural treasures are characterized by their uniqueness. Spread in different continents, they demonstrate the historical richness and the strong presence of the Arab and Islamic civilization throughout the world.

Whether they are old monuments, mosques or other buildings, these world famous architectural wonders worth a glance. Let us see the five most beautiful monuments of the arabic world.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A genuine work of architectural art, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the biggest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and even in the world. The walls and ceiling are made of white marble. Surrounded by reflective pools, causing the sunshine to add a scintillating sparkle to the mosque. During the night, the illumination system works with the moon phases.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque also has 80 domes, about 1,000 columns and 24K gold-plated chandeliers. It is also in this famous mosque of Abu Dhabi that are found the largest hand-woven carpet ever and one of the world’s wider chandeliers, hanging in its main prayer hall. This wonder is accessible to visitors outside prayer times.

The lost city of Petra in Jordan

Petra is a natural and architectural wonder. It is an internationally recognized archaeological site, considered the most precious jewel in Jordan. The city was carved into the rock in a creek mountains by the Nabateans, between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, 200 km south of Amman, during prehistory. It seems half-built and half-carved in the rock. The maze of passages and gorges reveal surprising details about the rock formations.

While visiting Petra, you can also enjoy the ancient oriental style sculptures and temples demonstrating the strong presence of Hellenistic architecture. The crossing of the Siq passage leads to the Al-Khazneh also named “The Treasury”. In the very heart of the city, you will find other breathtaking marvels: monasteries, thermal baths, … Petra’s undeniable beauty and its mystery make it deserve the name of 8^th Wonder of the World.

The Medina of Marrakesh in Morocco

In Morocco, medinas are magic places which offers great adventures to visitors. The Medina of Marrakesh is one of the most beautiful of the oriental world. You will enjoy evolving in the intertwined streets, protected by 19 kilometers of walls. The medina is organized around the Djema el-Fna square. There you will find many other wonders such as the Bahia palace.

For more entertainment for the visitors, there are street animations and theaters: snake charmers, henna tattoo artists, water merchant … are never out of idea to attract the curious.

Isfahan in Iran

Isfahan is one of the jewels of the Middle East. Located south of Teheran, this Iranian city has many Islamic monuments dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.

Among the inescapable ones, there is the Naghsh-e Jahan square listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Its four doors lead respectively to the Imam, to the Cheykh Lotfollah mosque, to the bazaar and to the Ali Qapu Palace, a masterpiece of Safavid architecture with its splendid ivan with 18 wooden columns.

Isfahan has other architectural treasures to discover such as the Friday Mosque which architecture is one of the most complex of the Arabic world and the Chechel Sotoun palace, the Shah Abbas II’s major monument which hosts coronation ceremonies.

The Beni Hammad Fort in Algeria

First capital of the hammadites emirs, the Beni Hammad Fort is today considered a major archaeological site in Algeria. This walled Muslim city was built in a beautiful mountainous site in 1007 and destroyed in 1152. The ruins of the city fascinate visitors with its many authentic monumental ruins. Among the must amazing ones, there is the mosque, one of the biggest in Algeria, which prayer room has 13 aisles with 8 bays. You will also find in the city a series of palaces which architecture is original and refined. The Beni Hammad Fort embodies the richness of Hammadite civilization, the one that has influenced most of Arab architecture.