Seif Palace, which was commissioned by Sheikh Mubarak and completed in 1896, is now widely recognized as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The Al Diwan Al Amiri is located in the waterfront palace that is right across the street from the Grand Mosque.
The palace’s clock tower, with its beautiful mosaics and elegant arches, is the building’s crowning gem. The blue-tiled, gold-domed tower is the most recognizable part of the palace and its carefully tended grounds.
Curious visitors and open borders in the eastern kingdoms of the Persian Gulf contributed to the spreading of information about the extravagant lifestyle of the eastern monarchs described by Scheherazade.
Fabulous palaces and towering mosques may be seen all around the Gulf States of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The local sheiks may have impressive palaces, but their riches can’t compare to the emir’s. And it would be a huge oversight not to see the most famous sight in all of Kuwait City, the majestic palace of the emir, the Seif Palace.
The palace is unfortunately closed to the public and can only be seen from the outside. Remember that it is illegal to photograph any government building, including Seif Palace, while you are there.
History of Seif Palace
The stunning mansion was first broken ground in 1904, around the turn of the century. Since then, the beautiful palace monument has stood on the city square near Kuwait’s holiest site, the Grand Mosque, serving as a splendid example of the classic Arab design.
The palace walls were able to resist a lot of damage because they were regularly repaired. The Persian Gulf remained intact despite being the target of a direct military missile bombardment during World War I. One chamber and the face of an old clock were damaged. The renowned British Smith of Derby Group has already manufactured a replacement. It was the first and only foreign firm to sign a contract in Kuwait at the time.
The emir’s magnificent oriental castle is awe-inspiring. Its own crowning glory is a blue-tiled old watchtower. The historic tower is adorned with the actual clock made by the illustrious British firm, and its sources claim that its dome is coated in pure gold.
Located in the heart of Kuwait City, Seif Palace (also spelled Al-Seif Palace) is a fascinating piece of history and one of the city’s most recognizable structures. It is believed that structures have existed on the same site continuously since 1896 when construction on the palace we know today was initiated by Sheikh Mubarak due to the location’s convenience and centrality.
The Seif Palace, located across from the Grand Mosque of Kuwait, has served as the seat of the Government of Kuwait since the late 19th century and has had three major renovations due to its prominence in the city’s center.
The tower was severely damaged by a missile during the First Gulf War, and the dial room was also destroyed. The Smith of Derby Group was responsible for replacing the famous clock, and, interestingly, they were the only non-American company to receive a contract during the period when the country was putting itself back together through reconstruction.
The architectural design of Seif Palace
The palace is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture with original Islamic mosaic tile works; the building materials used are all indigenous to the country, including clay, rocks, limestone, wood, and metals. The most distinctive feature of the palace is its watch tower, which is clad in blue tiles and has a roof plated in pure gold.
The palace was finished in 1907, but just three years later, in 1910, Sheikh Mubarak chose to add another wing, again in the same architectural style. By 1913, it had become the first structure in the country to receive electricity.
Together with the other surrounding 10 buildings, the total area is an astounding 16,000 square meters (172,223 square feet), and it features an artificial lake, landing strip for the helicopters, boat dock, museum, art gallery, and most crucially, office spaces.
Nonetheless, this extremely appealing Islamic masterpiece is the focus of all visitors to Kuwait City, and it is well worth the trip since it can hold its own against other worldwide tourist destinations.
