Final answer:
The cubical sanctuary in Mecca is called the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam and the destination for the Hajj pilgrimage. It's a pre-Islamic monument that has been renovated several times and features a gold door and a silk curtain embellished with calligraphy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cubical sanctuary located in the city of Mecca is called the Kaaba. It is a unique structure that stands out due to its cube shape and holds immense religious significance as the holiest shrine in Islam. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj, which is a pilgrimage considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam. The Kaaba is a pre-Islamic monument that has undergone multiple renovations and was rededicated by the Prophet Muhammad in 631-632 CE. Its walls are made of granite masonry and it is covered with a silk curtain adorned with gold and silver-wrapped thread calligraphy.
Standing 15 meters tall and measuring 10 and a half meters on each side, the structure's corners closely align with the cardinal directions. The significance of the Kaaba extends to daily Muslim prayers, as believers around the world face toward this sacred site when performing their prayers. The current door of the Kaaba is made of solid gold, a feature added in 1982, and the structure is annually draped with kiswa, a cloth that was historically sent from Egypt but is now made within Saudi Arabia. The Kaaba’s history is deeply intertwined with the history of Mecca, a city that has served as an important trade center and religious hub for thousands of years.