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Asia
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Brunei's icon and among the loveliest mosques of South-East Asia: a gilded dome over Italian marble, a minaret 52 metres high, the mosque set on the capital's waterfront, and a historic royal barge displayed in its courtyard.
Story & history
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III built it himself as the expression of his capital, placing a carved royal barge in its grounds in memory of the inaugural river procession; its dome was carved from Italian marble and sheathed in pure gold. It remains among the most beautiful mosques of the Malay world and the defining image of Brunei.
Getting there
Pin the site on the map or head straight there with your maps app; opening hours and access vary by season.
Quick facts
- A gold-sheathed dome on a Mughal-inspired drum
- On the waterfront of the capital
- A carved royal barge rests in its grounds
Visiting tip
At dawn or dusk, when the call to prayer meets golden light on the water.