The Istana Nurul Iman

The Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei and the seat of the Brunei government. It is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei Darussalam.

History

The Istana Nurul Iman was completed in 1984 and was designed by Filipino architect Leandro Locsin. It is one of the largest residential palaces in the world, with a total area of 2.15 million square feet. It was built at a cost of approximately US$1.4 billion.

Features

The Istana Nurul Iman has over 1,700 rooms, including 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 guests, a mosque that can hold 1,500 worshippers, and a 110-car garage. The palace also has its own helipad, which is used by the Sultan of Brunei.

Visiting The Istana Nurul Iman

The Istana Nurul Iman is not open to the public, except during the annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, which mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During this time, the palace is open to all Brunei citizens and residents, who can visit and meet the Sultan and his family.

Location

The Istana Nurul Iman is located at approximately 4.9036° N, 114.9398° E in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.

Conclusion

The Istana Nurul Iman is a magnificent palace that is a symbol of the wealth and power of the Sultan of Brunei. Although it is not open to the public, it is still a must-see destination for anyone visiting Bandar Seri Begawan.