Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

Topics Islamic Origins n Islamic Characteristics n Islamic Public Buildings n Mosques n Madresahs n Mausoleums n

Islamic Architecture: Origins n Islamic architecture gains its origins when the Muslims began to build in conquered lands Byzantium n Greece n Egypt n Middle East n

Islamic Architecture: Characteristics Islamic architecture shares many forms and structural concerns with Byzantine, Medieval, and Renaissance architecture n Islamic architectural characteristics n Large interior spaces n Domes and ceilings n Arches and columns n Walls and vaults n Wall-like facades n

Islamic Architecture: Characteristics n A particular characteristic is the architectural decoration Independent of structure n Intricate patterns completely cover exteriors and interiors n Domes of various shapes n Arch forms in the shape of a horseshoe are uniquely Islamic n

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings n The most common types of Islamic public buildings Mosques n Madresahs n Mausoleums n

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings n Mosques Considered the most important building n Serve as a gathering place for prayer, teaching, and a town hall n Its form has been very consistent through time and place n

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings n Mosques n The earliest mosques were built to represent the prophet Mohamed’s house n. A n courtyard and covered area for prayer All mosques were axial and oriented towards Mecca n Mecca is Islam’s most holy site

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings n Mosques n Dome of the Rock n n n 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 n Mosques n Dome of the Rock n Features n n n 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 n Mosques n Great Mosque n Cordoba, Spain n A culminating monument of the early Islamic period n Features n n Double-tiered arches n Possibly derived from the Roman aqueducts in Spain Dome featuring cross-bracings, interlacing arches, rich stucco, and mosaic decorative overlays n 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 n Madresahs Theological colleges and schools of religion n Usually attached directly to mosques n Typical structure n n Four n vaulted halls surrounding a center courtyard The largest side hall is known as the qibla

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings n Madresahs n The four halls are usually surrounded n Apartments n Schoolrooms n Exterior decoration usually only surrounds openings and marks the roofline n 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 n Mausoleums Memorials to holy men and rulers n Usually centrally planed and domed n The most famous Islamic mausoleum is the Taj Mahal n

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings n Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal n n n 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 n Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal n Features n n n 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 n Other Features n Materials n Brick n Local stone n Marble n Stucco

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings n Other Features n Domes n Used to cover prayer halls and other spaces n Unique to Islam was the many shapes of the domes n n Round Octagonal Multilobed Star-shaped

References n n Sullivan, Mary; http: //www. bluffton. edu/~sullivanm/ http: //www. brynmawr. edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt 1. html Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

By Dr. faisal babu. M