Istana Nurul Iman
Istana Nurul Iman | |
---|---|
General information | |
Architectural style | Brunei's Islamic and Malay |
Town or city | Bandar Seri Begawan |
Country | Brunei |
Completed | 1984 |
Cost | US$ 1.5 Billion (BN$ 5 Billion) |
Technical details | |
Structural system | Malay and Islam |
Floor count | Approximate 17 include underground floors |
Floor area | 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 m2) |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Leandro Locsin (overall) and Khuan Chew (interior)[1] |
The Istana Nurul Iman (Jawi: ايستان نور الإيمان; English: The Light of Faith Palace) is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and the seat of the Brunei government. The palace is located on a leafy, riverside sprawl of hills on the banks of the Brunei River, a few kilometres southwest of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital city. The palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality.
Design and construction[edit]
The name "Istana Nurul Iman" is taken from Malay Istana and Arabic Nur-ul Imaan and means Palace of the Light of Faith. It was designed by Filipino Visayan architect Leandro V. Locsin, who utilized the architectural motif of golden domes and vaulted roofs to echo Brunei's Islamic and Malay influences. The interior of the palace was designed by Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International, whose other works include the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Construction was handled by Ayala Abbott and Butters, a UK construction firm, and completed in 1984 at a total cost of around US$1.4 billion.
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Functions[edit]
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
The Sultan takes his official audiences at the palace. The palace is also used for all the state functions of the government of Brunei. In addition, the palace houses the prime minister's office, and serves as the seat of the Brunei government.
In addition to audience and state rooms, there is a throne chamber used for various formal occasions such as the proclamation of the crown prince and the annual birthday investiture.
However, in keeping with its primary use as the Sultan’s personal residence, the palace is the home to the Sultan’s 7,000 cars in 110 separate garages. The cars are valued at around $5 billion.[2]
Accessibility[edit]
The palace is not open to the public except on the annual Islamic celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr (the festival at the end of the Muslim fasting month) when the palace receives about 110,000 visitors over a three-day period where the guests receive gifts of food as well as green packets containing money for young children. The palace is also open to Muslims during 10 days of the Ramadhan period for Tadarus and Tarawih prayer gathering.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Ploysri Porananond; Victor T. King (23 September 2016). Tourism and Monarchy in Southeast Asia. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 28–29. ISBN 978-1-4438-1661-8.
- ^ "The World's Most Expensive Car Collection Could Be The Biggest Barn Find Ever". HotCars. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2023.