The Makkah Royal Clock Tower is a triumph of engineering. At 35 times the size of Big Ben it has the world’s largest clock. Constructed at an estimated cost of USD $16BN it is one of the most expensive buildings ever constructed, and at 600 metres high it contains to this day the highest occupied man-made space in the world.

Seeing the tower rise above the city of Mecca it’s hard to get a true sense of its unbelievable scale.

Construction firms from over ten different countries worked on the skyscraper, including a German firm which designed the clock. But because of its location in Mecca many of the engineers and architects could not visit the site.

After all, only Muslims are allowed in the sacred city.

Welcome to Mecca

The Makkah Royal Clock Tower isn’t just a hotel, it can’t be. It’s located in the heart of one of the most culturally significant cities in the world.

Every year up to 3M Muslims travel to Mecca to complete a pilgrimage known as the Hajj.

Those completing the Hajj circle around the Ka'bah seven times. It’s an ancient ritual that every Muslim must complete at least once in their life.

This site is thousands of years old, extremely delicate, and constantly crowded. And just a few hundred metres away, across the road, is where this enormous hotel was to be built.

This is far from a simple construction site.

Above: The tower is located right in the heart of Mecca.

“It's right in the centre of Mecca City,” explained Rasch. “You know, inside the first ring road, which is really the most congested area in Saudi Arabia, then the centre of Islam. All Muslims want to go there. You have the Holy Mosque with the Ka'bah in the middle and right opposite.”

Read More: Saudi Arabia Built a $16BN Clock Tower

( Source: The B1M )