Exhibition of the Architecture of the Two Holy Mosques

The Exhibition of the Architecture of the Two Holy Mosques is a permanent exhibition in Makkah established by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in 1420 AH. It presents the collections of the Two Holy Mosques, their architectural elements, epigraphic inscriptions and rare photographs that tell the story of the architecture of Al-Masjid al-Haram and the Prophet's Mosque across the ages and their Islamic history. [3][4]

The exhibition comprises seven halls containing two models of the Two Holy Mosques and a collection of Qurans, manuscripts, precious artefacts and architectural models, and it receives visitors from among pilgrims, Umrah performers and those who seek the Sacred House of God, as well as school and university students in the Kingdom. [3][4][7]

The number of its visitors since its establishment in 1420 AH until 2009 CE exceeded one million and 100,000 visitors, from among visitors, Umrah performers, pilgrims, citizens and residents. [6]

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque began work on establishing the exhibition in Rabi' al-Thani 1419 AH, after collections, architectural elements and epigraphic inscriptions from the expansions of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque had accumulated with it. [2]

The exhibition was opened on the twenty-fifth of Shawwal 1420 AH, and it was inaugurated by Prince Abdulmajeed bin Abdulaziz on behalf of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. [1][2]

The exhibition is located in Umm al-Joud district, next to the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba, in Makkah, on a total area of 1,200 square metres. [1]

Its exterior design was made to harmonise with the unique Islamic style and the distinctive architecture of the Grand Mosque, while its interior design ensured the smooth flow of movement and a sequence of display that lets the visitor find and take in all the collections and move between the halls with ease. [1][5]

The exhibition consists of seven halls: the reception hall, the Grand Mosque hall, the Holy Kaaba hall, the photography hall, the manuscripts hall, the Prophet's Mosque hall and the Zamzam hall. [3]

Its halls contain the various collections of the Two Holy Mosques, including Qurans, manuscripts, epigraphic inscriptions, artefacts, architectural models and rare photographs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, alongside two models of the two Holy Mosques. [4]

Among the most important collections of the exhibition are a wooden column of the columns of the Holy Kaaba dating to 65 AH, the spout of the Holy Kaaba dating to 1021 AH, the wooden ladder of the Holy Kaaba dating to 1240 AH, and the door of the Holy Kaaba dating to 1363 AH. [1]

It also contains a copied version of the Quran written in the era of the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, may God be pleased with him, genuine parts of the mouth of the Zamzam well, and a group of items belonging to the Holy Kaaba and the most important historical artefacts. [1]

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, represented by the Agency for Exhibitions and Museums, organised the “Mobile Exhibition of the Architecture of the Two Holy Mosques” at Al-Diyafah Mall in Makkah. It ran for seven days and received its visitors daily from nine in the morning until eleven in the evening. [8]

The exhibition included outreach corners: the corner of the landmarks of the Grand Mosque, the corner of the tools and perfumes of the Holy Kaaba, the children's corner and the gifts corner, with the aim of highlighting the Kingdom's efforts in the architecture of the Two Holy Mosques and the services provided to the guests of the Most Merciful. [8]

In 2026, the exhibition comes within the “Memory of Makkah” campaign, offering a journey of knowledge that extends from the Prophetic era to the Saudi era through its collections and photographs. [9]

The exhibition offers its visitors a number of services, including the distribution of Qurans and Zamzam water, and the provision of a free bus that carries visitors from the edges of the courtyards of the Grand Mosque to the exhibition and back. [1]

The exhibition is also keen to ease the movement of people with mobility disabilities into the halls through entrances designated for wheelchairs, and to provide wheelchairs for visitors with special needs. [1]

Q: Where is the Exhibition of the Architecture of the Two Holy Mosques located and what is its area? A: It is located in Umm al-Joud district, next to the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, on a total area of 1,200 square metres. [1]

Q: When was the exhibition opened and who opened it? A: It was opened on the twenty-fifth of Shawwal 1420 AH, and it was inaugurated by Prince Abdulmajeed bin Abdulaziz on behalf of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. [1][2]

Q: How many halls does the exhibition have and what are they? A: Seven halls: the reception, the Grand Mosque, the Holy Kaaba, the photography, the manuscripts, the Prophet's Mosque and Zamzam. [3]

Q: What are the most notable collections of the exhibition? A: A wooden column of the Kaaba from 65 AH, the spout of the Kaaba from 1021 AH, the wooden ladder of the Kaaba from 1240 AH, the door of the Kaaba from 1363 AH, a copied version of the Quran written in the era of the Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, and parts of the mouth of the Zamzam well. [1]

Q: What services are provided to visitors of the exhibition? A: The distribution of Qurans and Zamzam water, a free bus carrying visitors from the courtyards of the Grand Mosque and back, and facilities for the movement of people with disabilities through designated entrances and wheelchairs. [1]