The biggest residential palace in the world is, in fact, in Brunei. The formal residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is the Istana Nurul Iman, which translates to "Palace of the Faith Light."
The palace has 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a banquet center that can hold 5,000 visitors, a mosque that can hold 1,500 worshipers, a 110-car garage, and a 2.15 million square foot area. The palace also features a golf course, a big swimming pool, and a helipad.
The palace is viewed as a representation of the opulence and riches of the Brunei monarchy.
The King of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, started building the palace in the 1980s, which is when the Istana Nurul Iman first appeared in history. The old Istana Darussalam, which had served as the sultan's official residence since the 1960s but had grown too small to house the sultan's expanding family and employees, was replaced by the palace.
The Istana Nurul Iman's construction required many years and hundreds of workers. Leandro V. Locsin, a Filipino architect, created the palace, and Ayala International, a Filipino construction company, constructed it.
Since its formal opening in 1984, the palace has served as the monarch and his family's official home. Additionally, the palace has hosted numerous state events like royal nuptials, diplomatic receptions, and other formal rituals.
The Istana Nurul Iman has experienced a number of improvements and additions over the years, including the 2002 addition of a new wing to house the sultan's expanding collection of Islamic art and artifacts.
The palace is still one of the most lavish and opulent residences in the world today and represents the monarchy of Brunei's riches and power.
