Main Makkah Gate

The Main Makkah Gate above the highway into Mecca takes the shape of a giant Quran resting on a traditional book stand, an idea two designers were given in 1979 to make the city's entrance instantly legible to every pilgrim. This guide traces why architecture was chosen over a simple arch, the legal significance of the boundary the gate marks, and the millions of pilgrims each year making their way toward Hajj wearing plain white sheets. It's best watched from below as traffic streams beneath the suspended pages.