Brunei’s palace: 1788 rooms, 257 bathrooms
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brunei has garnered international attention for several reasons. Most notably, this two-day visit, which began on September 3, marked the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited the Southeast Asian country. Another significant aspect is the prime property where PM Modi was hosted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei’s ruler—the Istana Nurul Iman Palace. The Istana Nurul Iman Palace in Brunei is the world’s largest residential palace.
‘Palace of the Light of Faith’
The ‘Palace of the Light of Faith’ is an understatement for the Istana Nurul Iman Palace, which sprawls across a staggering 2,00,000 square meters. This has earned it the title of the largest residential palace in the world, a fact affirmed by a Guinness World Record. The palace boasts 1,788 rooms, including 257 bathrooms, and a banquet hall that can accommodate 5,000 guests. One of the palace’s standout features is its own mosque, which can hold about 1,500 worshippers.
The palace’s additional details only enhance its grandeur, including parking spots for 110 cars, a stable for 200 Polo ponies (air-conditioned, no less), five swimming pools, and 44 staircases. The use of 38 types of marble adds to the palace’s aesthetic appeal.
The cost of this grand vision? A whopping $1.4 billion.
Beyond the marble, the palace’s architectural intricacies are truly laudable. With a white and gold palette crowned by golden domes, the palace reflects a blend of Brunei’s Islamic culture and Malay traditions. The interiors, conceptualized by Khuan Chew, who is also responsible for Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab, feature stunning art, including a Renoir painting worth $70 million. The central dome, adorned with 22-carat gold, is the primary exterior attraction.
The palace, which is a few decades old, was commissioned by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1981 and completed by Filipino architect Leonardo Locsin in collaboration with Ayala Corporation by 1984.
