Culture of Bandar Seri Begawan. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Bandar Seri Begawan offers its guests a sea of opportunities for exciting tours. You will have a chance to see wonderful mosques and contemplate the decoration of Buddhist temples. Many interesting museums are found in the capital and its suburban areas. One of the main symbols of the city is the graceful Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei. The construction of the mosque was fully completed in 1958. It is considered to be the most beautiful mosque in the region.

The author of the mosque project was one of the most famous Italian architects of the mid-20th century. Its external appearance harmoniously combines elements of classical oriental and Italian architecture, which gives the mosque an outstanding appearance. Only Muslims are allowed to get inside and admire its interior decoration. A landscape garden surrounding the mosque is also of great interest to tourists. Here you can see palm trees and ornamental plants, as well as a picturesque artificial lagoon and fountains. The adjacent territory of the mosque is really large. This garden is one of the city’s most popular recreation spots.

Another unique architectural monument is Istana Nurul Iman Palace, which has served as the main residence of the head of state since its construction in 1984. The sultan resides in the palace permanently, which makes Istana Nurul Iman Palace the largest residence in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records. Surprisingly, it took only two years to build the entire palace. It has 1,700 rooms and a huge garage that can accommodate several hundred cars. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Sultan's personal car fleet is very extensive and includes super expensive and exclusive car models. On certain days, the Sultan's residence is available for guided tours. The palace houses a very interesting collection of artworks, as well as chic furniture and interior items. Many elements of the external and internal decoration are made of gold, and several dozen types of marble were used to decorate the palace. The palace is also surrounded by a picturesque garden, a walk through which would be a great continuation of the tour.

The most visited cultural center in the capital is the Brunei Museum - the country’s largest museum dedicated to the history and culture of Brunei. Part of the museum is occupied by an art gallery displaying works of art from various periods. One of the most valuable is the collection of ancient copies of the Koran brought here from various countries. It is also worth noting the museum’s huge collection of ethnographic exhibits and ancient weapons. One of the halls displays a unique collection of historical artifacts from sunken ships. One of the most modern thematic expositions is dedicated to the history of the oil industry.

If you like to explore historical sites, don't miss the opportunity to stroll through the historic district of the capital, Kampung Ayer. It is located on the very bank of the river where you can see old wooden huts built on stilts right on the water. The district is quite large. A hundred years ago, it comprised about 30 separate fishing villages. As the city developed, they were united, but the way of life has not changed much for people living here. Instead of the streets, wooden bridges are equipped over the water in the historic district. A walk through such an authentic area is sure to give a lot of impressions. Tourists also enjoy boat trips on the river, during which you can admire the historic district from the water.

One of the most beautiful modern buildings with a facade resembling a wooden ship’s stern houses Brunei Maritime Museum. This museum became the first in the country, the exposition of which is dedicated to maritime navigation. The museum presents a collection of interesting historical exhibits, as well as original thematic expositions. One of the most interesting is the one dedicated to the largest shipwrecks that happened in the region over the past hundred years.

The Brunei History Center opened in 1982 is also among the largest in Brunei. Its visitors can look at collections of ancient documents, archaeological artifacts, and historical exhibits. This center operates not only as a museum but also as a research complex focusing on the study of the country's history. The study on the genealogy of the royal family became one of the most ambitious and interesting since its foundation.