Mecca in Saudi Arabia

For Muslims, Mecca is what is the Holy Land for the followers of Christianity. Each Muslim is obliged at least once in their lives, of course, if the physical and financial ability allow him to visit the sacred mosque, Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. This ritual is known as the annual Hajj each year and welcomes millions of Muslims gathered in the courtyard of the Great Mosque called.

Mecca is one of the three most important centers of Islam – Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. And we all know that this place should be visited, because of its religious importance. Definitely the city gives you a lot of sightseeings and really amazing places to travel. This important city is located in the central eastern part of Saudi Arabia, is the capital of Mecca Province, which in turn is located in the historic area Heyaz region. Paperback from banks and not the Red Sea waters are located only 80 km to the west.

The whole is surrounded by soft hills that define the modern city limits. Central places in Mecca, around Masjid al-Haram are lower than other parts of the city. The area around the Grand Mosque is known as the Old City of Mecca. Mecca is considered the birthplace of Mohammed and therefore is very sacred and cherished for the followers of Islam. Here are first born and this religion began to spread among the Arab peoples.

Prophet Mohammed moved (Hijra) from Mecca and moved to Medina in 622 as in Medina to Mecca is allowed entry only to Muslims. Also, Muslims bow before God is always in the direction of Kaaba in Mecca. Kaaba is actually a large sacred stone. This stone is considered the most important sites throughout Mecca. Some Muslims visited the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed, which is located in the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina.

Each year during the Hajj in Mecca, and came about three million Muslims from around the world to pray and worship in the Grand Mosque. North and south of the Grand Mosque leave two main boulevards in Mecca. Residents of Saudi Arabia decided to raise its most sacred temple right in the center of Mecca, which had previously been located hundreds of homes and houses. Today, this area of ​​Old Town in Mecca was replaced by wide boulevards and large squares.

Mecca is not only a religious center. It is today and its modern face – here are some of the offices of world renowned companies. For centuries, Mecca is very important for the transport trade between East and West. The modern building in Mecca today is large scale. Still underway is the construction of the tallest building in the city Abrazh Al Bait Towers. This giant tower is located opposite the Holy Mosque area and is scheduled to reach its height of 577 meters significant. According to the plans for this huge building in Mecca, it must be completed in 2010, which will be taken to the highest buildings in the world.

Against the person of the Great Mosque Masjid al-Haram in Mecca was located and an ancient palace, reminiscent of years of slavery region. Once the fortress was erected to protect within the town and its inhabitants from enemy attacks. However great historical significance of the fortress in Mecca, the Saudi Arabian Government decided to abolish the historic building to find a place to build modern hotels and office buildings near Grand Mosque. Himself the most sacred shrine for Muslims spread over an area of ​​400,800 square meters, able to hold nearly 4 million pilgrims.