Istana Nurul Iman palace stands on the banks of Brunei River few kilometers south of Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Istana Nurul Iman palace took place in the Guinness World Record with the title of “World’s largest Residential Palace”. At a floor space of 2,152,782 square feet, Istana Nurul Iman palace serves as an official residence of Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. This palace also contains important government bodies and Prime Minister Office of Brunei.
The name Istana Nurul Iman represents the meaning of ‘Palace of the Light of Faith’. The structure of this palace was designed by Filipino architect Leonardo V. Locsin, who tried to combine Brunei’s Islamic and Malay traditional architecture in this design. Istana Nurul Iman palace interior work was carried out by Khuan Chew, who also worked in Dubai’s, Burj Al Arab. The construction work of Istana Nurul Iman Palace was completed in 1984 at a cost of around 1.4 billion US dollars.
Curved roofs of the buildings and the huge golden dome blend both traditional Malay and contemporary Islamic styles. Istana Nurul Iman palace was floored with imported marbles. Gold and 38 varieties of marbles are used as major decoration material for palace. This palace is also home to Sultan’s expensive cars in separate 110 garages. The world’s largest residential palace contain 1788 rooms, a mosque to accommodate 1500 people, banquet hall can provide space for over 5000 guests, 257 bathroom, 5 swimming pools, 44 staircases and 18 elevators. Istana Nurul Iman palace was lit up with 564 chandeliers and 51,000 light bulbs. The publics are not allowed inside the Palace. But you can take best pictures outside the Palace.
Visitors are allowed inside the palace only during the Islamic celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, at that time this palace receives more than one lakh visitors. Only Muslims are allowed into the palace during 10 days of the Ramadhan period.
Website: http://www.istananuruliman.org/
Address: Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan – BB3910 Brunei Darussalam
Phone: (673) 238 28 22 / (673) 238 28 32
Opening Hours:
Open 24 hours