Sunaal Noor Palace

Exterior

Dome and Minarets

The palace is crowned by an enormous, gleaming dome made of polished marble and inlaid with intricate gold filigree patterns. The dome shimmers like the surface of a desert mirage, radiating with the sun's light. Its shape is smooth and symmetrical, with a slight inward curve toward the top, much like the dome of a mosque but on a grander scale. The light that reflects off it is mesmerizing, casting golden hues across the palace grounds.

Flanking the dome are four slender, graceful minarets rising toward the heavens. These towers are not only decorative but serve as watchtowers for the palace, offering stunning views of the desert and the Shimmering Oasis. The minarets are wrapped in delicate spiraling motifs, reminiscent of twisting vines or sun rays, carved from sandstone and topped with gilded lanterns that flicker softly even during the day.

Facades

The exterior walls of the palace are a stunning mix of white limestone, sandstone, and polished alabaster, all carefully chosen to reflect the intense desert sunlight without absorbing too much heat. The surface of the walls is adorned with intricate geometric patterns, floral arabesques, and abstract sun motifs - symbolizing the nation's deep reverence for the unyielding sun.

The palace’s entrances are framed by tall, arched doorways, with thin columns that rise like slender trees. These columns are carved from pale marble and fluted with gold inlay. The archways are so wide and tall they seem to embrace the vastness of the desert sky.

Gardens and Courtyards

The gardens of Sunaal Noor Palace are vast and expansive, designed to resemble an oasis in the desert. At the heart of the gardens is a grand reflecting pool, the surface of which mirrors the palace and its shimmering dome. The pool is lined with stone benches and cypress trees, their dark green needles offering shade in the sun’s unrelenting heat.

Flowering plants and aromatic herbs are arranged in intricate patterns - carefully cultivated to thrive in the harsh climate. Tall, graceful date palms and rows of golden-leafed shrubs wind around stone paths, creating shady arcades that offer cool respite from the blazing heat. In the evenings, torches placed throughout the garden give off a soft, amber light that complements the radiant glow of the palace.

Interior

Grand Entrance Hall

Upon entering the palace, visitors are greeted by a vast atrium with a high, vaulted ceiling. The floor is made of smooth, cool marble with inlaid patterns that mimic sunbursts - bright gold inlays radiating from the center of the floor to the edges of the hall.

The walls of the entrance hall are adorned with exquisite mosaics of glass and stone depicting scenes of the desert, the oasis, and celestial bodies, creating an interplay of light and shadow. Sunlight filters through high arched windows, casting vibrant patterns on the walls and floor.

The Sun Throne Room

The central chamber of the palace is the Sun Throne Room, where the monarch holds court. This chamber is a vast, circular space dominated by a massive throne made of gold and ivory, set beneath a towering skylight that lets the sun pour through in an uninterrupted beam, bathing the throne in light.

The walls of the throne room are adorned with floor-to-ceiling tapestries woven from golden threads, depicting the history of Simek, its gods, and legendary heroes who tamed the desert. The tapestries glimmer with a subtle shimmer as if the fabric itself were alive with energy.

The room’s floor is a polished blend of jade and marble, carved into sweeping patterns that flow like desert dunes. Around the throne are plush cushions and golden chairs for dignitaries and visitors.

Solar Chandeliers hang from the ceiling - each one a delicate arrangement of crystal and glass, shaped like radiant suns, which catches the light and scatters it in dazzling rays across the room.

The Mirror Hall

One of the most unique rooms in the palace is the Mirror Hall, a long corridor lined with tall mirrors set into the walls. The floor is a soft golden stone, and the ceiling is painted with intricate depictions of the sun and the sky.

The Garden Rooms

Some sections of the palace are designed to feel like an extension of the gardens outside, including large indoor courtyards filled with lush greenery, shaded areas with flowing fountains, and rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the palace gardens and the endless desert. The atmosphere here is always cool, thanks to an intricate system of air circulation.

The Solarium is a room where sunlight filters through intricate stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor. It’s a place for reflection, where the royal family might gather to meditate or relax, surrounded by potted desert flowers and the soft trickle of water.

Sunlit Halls and Courtyards

The palace also features wide, airy halls, their walls dotted with open arches and arcades that allow the sun’s rays to penetrate deep into the building, keeping the interior warm but not unbearably hot. The courtyards are open to the sky, with fountains of cool water flowing in the center, designed to keep the space pleasant even during the hottest parts of the day.

The Oasis Court is an open-air courtyard that mimics the desert's beauty and harshness, with rough, natural stone walls and a large central pool. It is surrounded by towering columns and can be reached through multiple arched passages from the inner sanctums of the palace.