7Al-Masjid al-Haram – Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The most sacred mosque in Islam, Al-Masjid al-Haram (The Grand Mosque), is located in Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims. It surrounds the Kaaba, the cube-shaped building at the center of the mosque, which Muslims face when performing their prayers. Every year, millions of Muslims gather here for Hajj, the annual pilgrimage that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Architecturally, the mosque is a marvel. It spans 356,000 square meters and can accommodate more than 2 million worshippers at once. The mosque has undergone several expansions over the centuries, and its current form includes minarets, domes, and vast marble courtyards. The white and grey marble shines brightly under the desert sun, making the entire structure a majestic sight, especially when illuminated at night.
