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Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp Topics Islamic Origins Islamic Characteristics Islamic Public Buildings Mosques Madresahs Mausoleums Islamic Architecture: Origins Islamic architecture gains its origins when the Muslims began to build in conquered lands Byzantium Greece Egypt Middle East Islamic Architecture: Characteristics Islamic architecture shares many forms and structural concerns with Byzantine, Medieval, and Renaissance architecture Islamic architectural characteristics Large interior spaces Domes and ceilings Arches and columns Walls and vaults Wall-like facades Islamic Architecture: Characteristics A particular characteristic is the architectural decoration Independent of structure Intricate patterns completely cover exteriors and interiors Domes of various shapes Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe are uniquely Islamic Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings The most common types of Islamic public buildings Mosques Madresahs Mausoleums Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mosques Considered the most important building Serve as a gathering place for prayer, teaching, and a town hall Its form has been very consistent through time and place Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mosques The earliest mosques were built to represent the prophet Mohamed’s house A courtyard and covered area for prayer All mosques were axial and oriented towards Mecca Mecca is Islam’s most holy site Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mosques Dome of the Rock Located in Jerusalem c. 684 A.D. Built on the spot where Muslims believe the prophet Mohamed was carried to heaven Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mosques Dome of the Rock Features Octagonal format Vaulting Columns Piers Rich mosaic decoration Dome of gilded wood, considered a symbol of the power of Islam Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mosques Great Mosque Cordoba, Spain A culminating monument of the early Islamic period Features Double-tiered arches Possibly derived from the Roman aqueducts in Spain Dome featuring cross-bracings, interlacing arches, rich stucco, and mosaic decorative overlays Led to a unique Islamic style Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Madresahs Theological colleges and schools of religion Usually attached directly to mosques Typical structure Four vaulted halls surrounding a center courtyard The largest side hall is known as the qibla Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Madresahs The four halls are usually surrounded Apartments Schoolrooms Exterior decoration usually only surrounds openings and marks the roofline Unlike other public buildings where decoration starts at the foundation and ends at the roof Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mausoleums Memorials to holy men and rulers Usually centrally planed and domed The most famous Islamic mausoleum is the Taj Mahal Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mausoleums Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal c. 1631 – 1648 Located in Agra, India Built as a memorial by a Muslim Indian ruler to his wife Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mausoleums Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal Features Assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sources Many gardens and water pools Inlaid stone patterns and Koranic inscriptions Lacy marble walls Large portals Extravagant domes Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Photo: Sullivan Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Other Features Materials Brick Local stone Marble Stucco Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Other Features Domes Used to cover prayer halls and other spaces Unique to Islam was the many shapes of the domes Round Octagonal Multilobed Star-shaped References Sullivan, Mary; http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.html Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp