Hall of Columns

The Hall of Columns is the most interesting space in the building. It is a large room containing eight beautiful, spiral columns which divide the room into three longitudinal sections, and another 16 similar columns which are embedded in the walls. The floor is paved with black, white and brown marble tiles, forming, in places, 6-pointed stars enclosed within a square. High up on the walls, at a height of around 11 metres, gold letters painted onto a dark band issue a reminder to merchants to trade honestly in order to guarantee a life of wealth and prosperity.