R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 16

Abu Dhabi — Qasr Al Watan Palace Part 4

R. Doug Wicker in Qasr Al Watan Palace

Time for us to head deep into the east wing at Qasr Al Watan Palace. Here we’ll explore the cultural side of the house, for the east wing contains the House of Knowledge: Age of Enlightenment (information link below), the 50,000-book Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Public Library (information link below), and the Presidential Meeting Room. Just to give you a sense of direction, here again is the palace interior diagram:

Qasr Al Watan Palace interior diagram...

Abu Dhabi — Qasr Al Watan Palace Part 3

Qasr Al Watan Palace — view of the Great Hall from the east wing

Today we hang a right at the Great Hall and head into the east wing, although the Great Hall is so stunning that many of today’s photos will peering back into that area. I hope it doesn’t get too monotonous for you. Let’s start with a review of the layout of Qasr Al Watan Palace to help you get your bearings:

Qasr Al Watan Palace layout

The Great Hall is represented above by the number 2. The east wing is to the right and c...

Fun Photo Friday —Qasr Al Watan Palace Favorites 1

It’s All Done With Mirrors

Today I present the first of three Fun Photo Fridays featuring favorites taken of Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace.

Tiles and Domes Dome Above the Great Hall Grand Gateway to the Courtyard Darn — I Forgot My Library Card Ursula Crossing Off Another Bucket List Item

For additional information on the Qasr Al Watan Palace see:
● Qasr Al Watan Palace
● Qasr Al Watan official website
● Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi site
● Islamic architecture
● Abu Dhabi
● United Arab ...

Abu Dhabi — Qasr Al Watan Palace Part 2

The domes over Qasr Al Watan Palace

It’s time to head inside Qasr Al Watan Palace, but before we do let’s swing around for one more shot of the tiled courtyard and one of the surrouding structures:

Qasr Al Watan Palace courtyard

Now we’re back in the entry hall of the palace:

Qasr Al Watan Palace entry hall

But as impressive as the entry is, looking ahead you’ll see an even larger room with a higher domed ceiling:

Qasr Al Watan Palace

This is the Great Hall at Qasr Al Watan, an...

Abu Dhabi — Qasr Al Watan Palace Part 1

Qasr Al Watan Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Over the preceding three weeks I presented to you the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (For the beginning of that series see: Abu Dhabi — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Part 1) Over the next three weeks it is time to move on to another stunning Abu Dhabi site — Qasr Al Watan Palace. For additional information, click on any of the links at the bottom of today’s article.

The entrance into Qasr Al Watan Palace

Qas...

Fun Photo Friday —Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Favorites 3

Today I present the last of three Fun Photo Friday favorite shots of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Next week it’s on to our next Abu Dhabi attraction. Until then:

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

For additional information on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque see:

● Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
● Mosques
● Domes
● Minarets
● Prayer halls
● Islamic architecture
● Abu Dhabi
● United Arab Emerates
● A...

Abu Dhabi — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Part 6

Main prayer hall — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

We’ll continue today and in this week’s Fun Photo Friday with a photographic tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. After that it will be time to move on to our next Abu Dhabi sight, which will take up another three weeks’ worth of articles. I’ve mentioned a few times now the ginormous hand-knotted prayer rug that fills the main prayer hall here. And in photos of it I may have left you with the impression that it’s predominently green. We’ll that’s not...

Abu Dhabi — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Part 5

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The interior views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are stunning, and there is much here to capture the interest of any photographer. Last Wednesday I showed you the largest handmade rug in the world, with over 2.25 billion hand-tied knots. I also showed you the third largest chandelier in the world, which also happens to be the second largest found in any mosque. Today I’ll show you more views of the rug and other chandeliers, as well as many other decorations throu...

Fun Photo Friday —Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Favorites 2

Minaret Framed

Here is today’s Fun Photo Friday selection of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque favorites:

For additional information on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque see:

● Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
● Mosques
● Domes
● Minarets
● Prayer halls
● Islamic architecture
● Abu Dhabi
● United Arab Emerates
● Arabian Peninsula
● Middle East

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Abu Dhabi — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Part 4

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque main prayer hall and mihrab

Today we’re heading inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. If you thought the exterior was impressive, what until you see today’s photographs. We’ll start with the entrance hall, which leads into the main prayer hall. In the entrance hall you’ll find more marble, walls once again decorated in floral designs using semi-precious stone, and a seriously impressive chandelier.

The entryway into Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The chandelier you s...