Grand Mosque of Riau Sultan, Royal mosque in Penyengat Island, Indonesia
The Grand Mosque of Riau Sultan is a place of worship on Penyengat Island featuring thirteen domes and four minarets painted in yellow and green. The building rises on elevated ground, making it visible from across the harbor and surrounding waters.
The building was constructed in 1844 as the power center of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate. The sultanate held significant influence over maritime trade routes and commerce across Southeast Asia during that era.
The mosque brings together residents for daily prayers and celebrations of Islamic holidays throughout the year. Its yellow and green domes and minarets make it a recognizable landmark that shapes how people see the islands.
To visit the mosque, take a water taxi from Tanjung Pinang harbor to reach the island. Boats run throughout the day, so you have flexibility in timing, though you should allow enough time for the crossing.
The walls were constructed using egg whites mixed into the binding material, which arrived as wedding gifts for the Sultan. This unusual ingredient strengthened the mortar and became part of the building's history.
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