The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Saray artisans worked for more than three years hand-inlaying intricate patterns of flowering vines onto 1,054 white marble columns for the entrance and side arcades of this remarkable mosque which opened in 2007. The hundreds and thousands of rare and beautiful cut stones used in the columns include lapis lazuli, amethyst, onyx, aventurine and mother-of-pearl.
Main banner at top: Inlaid columns looking towards the night sky.
Columns mirrored in the reflecting pool which surrounds the mosque.
Full view of the central arcade flanked by inlaid marble columns crowned by golden palm capitals.