Millions of pilgrims visit the Grand Mosque of Mecca and the Prophet Mosque of Medina every year. When they arrive, one thing surprises them most the marble floor around the Kaaba.
During the summer, temperatures in Saudi Arabia sometimes exceed 50°C. Yet, when people walk barefoot on this marble floor, it doesn’t feel that hot. It feels cool and easy to walk on.
Some people think that perhaps there is a cooling system or water pipes installed beneath the floor that keep it cool. But the real reason is something else.
In fact, this Kaaba Marble Floor is a special type of natural stone imported from Greece that doesn’t absorb much heat. Because of this, even in the sun, its surface doesn’t become scorching hot like other stones.
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Secret Behind the Cool Floors: Thassos Marble
This coolness is actually due to Thassos marble. It is a special type of white marble mined on the island of Thassos in Greece, located near the Aegean Sea.
Kaaba Marble Floor is renowned worldwide for its extremely white and lustrous finish. Its color is so white that when sunlight falls on it, it reflects back the heat instead of absorbing it. This is why its surface does not become as hot as ordinary stones.
Because of this white and clear color, people sometimes call it Snow White Marble.
Some of the special features of this marble are:
- It reflects light more
- It absorbs less heat
- It dissipates heat quickly
- It absorbs a little moisture at night and releases it slowly during the day
These qualities make this marble perfect for very hot places.
How the Marble Naturally Cools Itself
Marble used in the courtyards of the Holy Mosques has a natural property that helps keep it cool.
At night, when temperatures drop, this marble absorbs a little moisture from the air through its tiny pores. Then, during the day, when it becomes sunny and warm, this moisture is slowly released. This creates a natural cooling effect on the marble surface.
This process is somewhat similar to evaporative cooling, which keeps the marble from becoming too hot even in intense sunlight and remains comfortable to walk on.
The marble slabs used in mosques range in size from:
- Approximately 5 cm thick
- Approximately 120 cm long
- Approximately 60 cm thick
The thickness of this marble is also important, as greater thickness prevents heat from penetrating the interior and keeps the surface cool for longer.
Scientific Studies Confirm Its Cooling Properties
Scientific research has also proven that Thassos marble is very effective in controlling heat.
In 2021, a study was published in the journal Construction and Building Materials. In this research, scientists examined the properties of this marble and found that it:
- Reflects a significant portion of smoke
- Disperses heat quickly
- Keeps the surface cooler than common building stones
Another study, published in the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, called this marble a smart marble that dissipates heat.
This marble has a unique crystal structure that is rich in dolomite minerals. This helps it regulate heat and prevent the surface from becoming too hot.
Why Saudi Arabia Chose This Marble for the Holy Mosques
The decision to use Thassos marble was made to protect visitors from the intense heat.
In the mosque, prayers and some rituals are performed barefoot. Therefore, it was important that the floor of the open courtyards not be so hot that people feet would burn. Keeping the floor safe and comfortable was crucial.
For this reason, the Saudi leadership imported this special marble from Greece and installed it in the bare open areas around the Kaaba, where millions of people gather during Hajj and Umrah.
This marble provides some important benefits:
- People can walk around barefoot comfortably.
- The floor remains safe even in extreme heat.
- The white marble makes the mosque area look beautiful and shiny.
Continuous Maintenance and Care
Keeping the marble flooring in good condition is a constant task. Teams of engineers and technicians regularly inspect the courtyards of the Two Holy Mosques.
Their work consists of:
- Polishing marble surfaces
- Repairing damaged marble
- Replacing tiles that have lost their cooling properties
- Restoring the marble’s natural shine
This maintenance work continues 24 hours a day, ensuring the floor remains safe, clean, and beautiful, allowing visitors to walk comfortably.
A Long History of Marble in the Grand Mosque
Mataf area where pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba has been paved with stone and marble since ancient times.
Taleographic records indicate that several marble alterations have been made at this location over time.
- Initially, the courtyard was paved with small pebbles and stones.
- Later, during the expansion, proper stone flooring was installed.
- Marble began to be used in some parts of the Mosque during the Abbasid period.
- Over time, the flooring was repeatedly upgraded to accommodate more visitors.
The heat-resistant marble used today, imported from Greece, began to be used during the Grand Mosque’s modern expansion in the late 20th century.
A Blend of Engineering and Spiritual Experience
Beyond its practical benefits, the marble also enhances the spiritual and visual atmosphere of the mosque.
The bright white floors reflect sunlight during the day and mosque lighting at night, creating a breathtaking environment around the Kaaba.
This combination of natural material science, architectural design, and careful maintenance ensures that pilgrims experience both comfort and beauty while performing their sacred rituals.
Conclusion
Cool marble floors of the Grand Mosque are not the result of hidden cooling systems but rather the unique properties of rare Thassos marble.
Its exceptional ability to reflect sunlight, conduct heat efficiently, and release moisture makes it one of the most suitable building materials for extreme climates.
Through thoughtful engineering and continuous maintenance, this remarkable stone allows millions of pilgrims each year to walk comfortably around one of the holiest sites in Islam, even under the intense heat of the Arabian sun.