Considered as the largest residential palace in the world, the Istana Nurul Iman is the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah’s official residence. The castle is just several kilometres south of Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. It is right beside the Brunei River and it is built on a wonderful sprawl of hills.

The Istana Nurul Iman Palace

Though its name translates to the “Palace of the Faith Light,” it looks more luxurious than spiritual, especially with its $1.4 billion price tag. This palace was built in 1984. With money coming from oil wealth, the sultan designed the palace with over-the-top details. It has a floor space that covers up to 2, 152, 782 square feet. The palace has 1,800 rooms and an air-conditioned stable to make sure that the Sultan’s favourite horses remain comfortable and healthy.

But to live up to its name’s meaning as the Palace of the Faith Light, there is a mosque in the palace that can accommodate up to 1,500 people to pray.  The palace also serves as the seat of the Brunei Government with several offices on site. The palace also accommodates foreign dignitaries.