Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in incredible 360

Take a look at one of Abu Dhabi’s most recognisable landmarks in stunning 360-degree images

A man walks past the central water feature at Wahat Al Karama, a shallow pool designed to capture the reflections of The Memorial and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Christopher Pike / The National

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the religious and cultural heart of Abu Dhabi.

Since its opening in 2007, it has been the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, and is the key site of worship in the country.

The project was the brainchild of UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed, the country's first president, who strived for a structure to celebrate and unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world, and merge it with the modern values of art and architecture.

The complex spans 12 hectares in size, and was constructed from 1996 to 2007. After leading the young country for 33 years, Sheikh Zayed was buried on the grounds of the uncompleted mosque upon his death in November 2004.

Spanning 12 hectares in size, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - which bears its instigator's namesake - is now a religious site celebrated the world over. During Eid, it's visited by almost 50,000 people.

It has fast become a draw for tourists too, with TripAdvisor naming it the second on their "Top World Landmarks" list in 2014.

Take a look at these stunning 360-degree images of Abu Dhabi's most important landmark by photographer Christopher Pike.