Built between 1892 and 1900, the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque stands on a hill above the Strait of Johor with a clear view towards Singapore on the far shore. The architecture is a genuine hybrid: pointed Gothic windows, a crenellated tower that would not look out of place on an English country house, and traditional Islamic minarets and domes, all combined in a way that feels purposeful rather than confused. It reflects the same cosmopolitan confidence as the Royal Palace built by the same sultan a few decades earlier.
The mosque can hold 2,000 worshippers and remains in active use for Friday prayers and daily services. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times if modestly dressed — cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before entering the carpeted areas. The view from the grounds across the strait is one of the better vantage points in the city.