Mecca serves as the spiritual heart of the Islamic world and attracts millions of visitors annually. Historically, this desert valley acted as a major trade route before it became the holiest city in Islam. Furthermore, the city blends ancient traditions with futuristic architecture and massive infrastructure projects. Consequently, it holds some of the most fascinating records and stories on the planet. Explore these intriguing details about the Sacred City.
Mecca
The government strictly prohibits non-Muslims from entering the city. Authorities maintain checkpoints on all roads leading into the area to enforce this rule. Therefore, only those who profess the Islamic faith may witness the holy sites within the city limits.
The central clock tower holds the record for the largest clock face in the world. Impressively, each of the four faces measures 43 meters in diameter. Thus, they are roughly 35 times larger than the clock face of Big Ben in London.
Weavers create a new cover for the Kaaba every single year. Artisans use 670 kilograms of black silk and 120 kilograms of gold thread to craft the Kiswa. Subsequently, officials replace the old cloth with the new one during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Mecca contains some of the most expensive real estate on Earth. Because the land near the Great Mosque is so scarce and sacred, prices per square meter can rival or exceed those in Monaco or Manhattan. Consequently, developers build vertically to maximize the limited space.
The city operates a metro system that runs for only one week a year. specifically, the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line transports pilgrims between holy sites during the Hajj season. The rest of the year, the trains sit dormant until the next pilgrimage begins.
The Zamzam Well has provided water for thousands of years without drying up. According to tradition, the well sprang miraculously in the desert to save Hajar and her son Ismail. Remarkably, it continues to pump enough water to quench the thirst of millions of pilgrims today.
No airport exists within the city itself. Due to the strict entry requirements and the mountainous terrain, visitors usually fly into Jeddah first. Then, they travel the remaining distance to Mecca by car, bus, or high-speed train.
The population triples during the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. While the city houses around two million permanent residents, the number swells massively during Hajj. Therefore, the government sets up a gigantic temporary city of fireproof tents in Mina to house the crowds.
The Clock Tower building is the third tallest structure in the world. Standing at 601 meters, the Abraj Al Bait complex dominates the skyline. Furthermore, it houses a luxury hotel, a five-story shopping mall, and a prayer room that holds thousands of people.
People pray toward Mecca from every corner of the globe. This direction, known as the Qibla, unifies Muslims in their worship. Mosques around the world mark this direction with a niche in the wall called a Mihrab.
The city lies in a dry, rocky valley surrounded by mountains. Specifically, it sits about 277 meters above sea level in the Sirat Mountains. Consequently, flash floods posed a serious threat to the Kaaba historically before modern drainage systems were installed.
The first English explorer to visit disguised himself to gain entry. Sir Richard Burton visited the city in 1853 by posing as a Pashtun pilgrim from Afghanistan. Later, he wrote a famous book detailing his dangerous journey and observations.
The Kaaba has been rebuilt multiple times throughout history. Floods, fires, and sieges damaged the structure over the centuries. Thus, rulers renovated the building periodically to ensure it remained safe and beautiful for worshippers.
The Prophet Muhammad was born here in the Year of the Elephant. Historians identify this year as approximately 570 AD. Tradition states that an army of elephants tried to attack the city that year but failed.
Finally, the Green Light on the clock tower signals prayer times. Residents can see these massive LED lights from over 30 kilometers away. Therefore, even people far outside the city center know exactly when to begin their daily prayers.
