The wood used for the Quranic tablets is Tembesu, a durable tropical hardwood native to Sumatra.
The project was initiated by Syofwatillah Mohzaib, a local calligrapher and artist.
Each tablet underwent a process involving calligraphy, carving, and gold-leaf finishing.
The carving process spans the entirety of the Quran, requiring 30 separate chapters carved into over 600 individual pages.
The museum is architecturally designed to resemble a traditional Palembang house combined with Islamic geometric motifs.
Bayt Al-Qur'an in Palembang houses the world's largest collection of Al-Qur'an texts carved into Tembesu wood. The museum features giant wooden tablets, each measuring approximately 177 centimeters by 140 centimeters, arranged in a multi-story gilded hall. The collection was carved by local Palembang artisans over a seven-year period beginning in 2002. It serves as a center for religious art and education in South Sumatra. The facility is located within the Gandus area of Palembang. The museum preserves the entirety of the 30 chapters of the Quran across these massive panels.
The view from the second-floor balcony looking down at the rows of stacked wooden tablets.
Remove footwear before entering the main exhibition hall.
Visit during non-prayer times to avoid disruptions to local religious observances.
Bring a wide-angle lens if using a professional camera, as the space is vertically oriented.
Avoid touching the gilded carvings, as oils from skin can damage the gold leaf and wood finish.
Visitors must dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; silent conduct is required in the exhibition space.
