History
History
Built between 1954 and 1958 under the reign of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, whose name it bears, this mosque combines marble imported from Italy, granite from Shanghai, and stained glass and chandeliers from England in a style mainly inspired by Mughal architecture, enhanced with Bruneian elements.
An artificial lagoon surrounds the building, with a concrete replica of a 16th-century mahligai (royal barge) belonging to Sultan Bolkiah. It hosted the great thanksgiving prayer of 31 December 1983 marking Brunei's independence, and remains today the setting for royal weddings.
Anecdotes & highlights
- Architectural style mainly inspired by Mughal architecture with Bruneian elements; marble imported from Italy, granite from Shanghai, stained glass and chandeliers from England.
- An artificial lagoon surrounds the mosque, with a concrete replica of a 16th-century mahligai (royal barge) belonging to Sultan Bolkiah.
- It hosted the great thanksgiving prayer of 31 December 1983 marking Brunei's independence, and remains the venue for royal weddings.
