Download - islamic architecture - By K.J. Benoy
Islamic ArchitectureIslamic Architecture
Comparative Civilizations 12
K.J. Benoy
Comparative Civilizations 12
K.J. Benoy
MosquesMosques• The Most notable
type of building is the mosque.
• Originally this was only a large open area where the faithful would gather.
• The original mosque was probably the courtyard of Mohammad’s house in Medina.
• The Most notable type of building is the mosque.
• Originally this was only a large open area where the faithful would gather.
• The original mosque was probably the courtyard of Mohammad’s house in Medina.
MosquesMosques
• The courtyard – descendant of the basilica’s atrium and the Egyptian temple court, remains a feature of most mosques today
• The courtyard – descendant of the basilica’s atrium and the Egyptian temple court, remains a feature of most mosques today
MosquesMosques
– Within the courtyard is usually an ablution fountain – where the worshipper symbolically washes before prayer.
– Within the courtyard is usually an ablution fountain – where the worshipper symbolically washes before prayer.
MosquesMosques
• Certain characteristics are present in most mosques.– The Mihrab, or
niche, indicates the Qibla, the direction of Mecca, which the faithful must face when praying.
• Certain characteristics are present in most mosques.– The Mihrab, or
niche, indicates the Qibla, the direction of Mecca, which the faithful must face when praying.
MosquesMosques
– There is also a minbar, or pulpit, from which sermons are delivered.
– There is also a minbar, or pulpit, from which sermons are delivered.
MosquesMosques– And a minaret, or
tower, from which the Muezzin call the faithful to prayer.
– Originally this call was made from the main roof of the mosque.
– Minarets developed from Christian bell towers. Later they influenced Christian designs.
– And a minaret, or tower, from which the Muezzin call the faithful to prayer.
– Originally this call was made from the main roof of the mosque.
– Minarets developed from Christian bell towers. Later they influenced Christian designs.
MosquesMosques– The social
obligations within the religion later led to the addition of madrassa (schools, colleges or universities) attached.
– Occasionally there were and are also hospitals.
– The social obligations within the religion later led to the addition of madrassa (schools, colleges or universities) attached.
– Occasionally there were and are also hospitals.
MosquesMosques
• Moslems borrowed extensively from neighbouring civilization because there was no native architectural style in Mohammad’s homeland.
• Moslems borrowed extensively from neighbouring civilization because there was no native architectural style in Mohammad’s homeland.
Hagia Sophia – converted to a mosque after the Moslem conquest of Constantinople
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
• Istanbul’s Blue Mosque is clearly based on the Hagia Sophia.
• Mehmet Aga’s 17th century structure rises 77 feet to the top of its central dome.
• Istanbul’s Blue Mosque is clearly based on the Hagia Sophia.
• Mehmet Aga’s 17th century structure rises 77 feet to the top of its central dome.
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
• It is actually built facing Justinian’s Church, on the site of the old Imperial Palace.
• It is actually built facing Justinian’s Church, on the site of the old Imperial Palace.
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
Central dome of Istanbul’s Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
Note the massive pendentive and windowed drum.
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
• The Blue Mosque is more properly known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
• Its more common western name comes from the wide use of blue Iznik tiles.
• The Blue Mosque is more properly known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
• Its more common western name comes from the wide use of blue Iznik tiles.
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
• This mosque is particularly notable for its six minarets.
• This mosque is particularly notable for its six minarets.
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
• Stained glass creates a magical lighting effect.
• However, unlike European stained glass, there are no images of people, due to Mohammad’s prohibition against them.
• Stained glass creates a magical lighting effect.
• However, unlike European stained glass, there are no images of people, due to Mohammad’s prohibition against them.
The Blue Mosque - IstanbulThe Blue Mosque - Istanbul
• It is the magnificent dome and adjoining half-domes that impress most.
• Built a thousand years after the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque displays more grace than its predecessor.
• It is the magnificent dome and adjoining half-domes that impress most.
• Built a thousand years after the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque displays more grace than its predecessor.
The Great Mosque at Samarra, IraqThe Great Mosque at Samarra, Iraq
• Regional variations in Islamic architecture reflect local traditions, where they exist.– The Great Mosque
at Samarra has a minaret in the style of a Babylonian Ziggurat.
• Regional variations in Islamic architecture reflect local traditions, where they exist.– The Great Mosque
at Samarra has a minaret in the style of a Babylonian Ziggurat.
The Grand Mosque - MeccaThe Grand Mosque - Mecca
• Mecca’s Grand Mosque houses Islam’s most holy site – the Kaaba, which all moslems face to pray.
• It features the Kaaba in its massive courtyard.
• Mecca’s Grand Mosque houses Islam’s most holy site – the Kaaba, which all moslems face to pray.
• It features the Kaaba in its massive courtyard.
The Grand Mosque - MeccaThe Grand Mosque - Mecca
This simple cube-shaped building predates Islam, but is a site of pilgrimage for millions of moslems.
The Black stone at one of its corners is, contrary to Koranic teaching, venerated by many Moslems.
The Dome of the Rock - JerusalemThe Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem
• This is one of Islam’s earliest mosques.
• It is built on a site holy to Jews, Christians and Moslems.
• Note the Byzantine inspired Central Plan.
• This is one of Islam’s earliest mosques.
• It is built on a site holy to Jews, Christians and Moslems.
• Note the Byzantine inspired Central Plan.
The Dome of the Rock - JerusalemThe Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem
Interior of the Dome of the Rock – where Abraham intended to sacrifice Isaac and where, for a time, Mohammad directed Moslems to face when praying – until Mecca became a Moslem city.
The Blue Mosque - IsfahanThe Blue Mosque - Isfahan
• Iranian mosques frequently used the same blue tiles as was popular in Ottoman Turkey.
• However, their Iwan (great Hall) form and characteristic monumental entrances are purely Persian in design.
• Iranian mosques frequently used the same blue tiles as was popular in Ottoman Turkey.
• However, their Iwan (great Hall) form and characteristic monumental entrances are purely Persian in design.
Mosque of Sheik Lotfallah- IsfahanMosque of Sheik Lotfallah- Isfahan
• Note the ornate and characteristically Persian dome.
• Note also the tendence toward horror vacui.
• Note the ornate and characteristically Persian dome.
• Note also the tendence toward horror vacui.
Mogul ArchitectureMogul Architecture• The Moslem
conquerors of India developed an architecture of particular grace and grandeur.
• Persian domes and great gates appeared throughout northern India.
• The Moslem conquerors of India developed an architecture of particular grace and grandeur.
• Persian domes and great gates appeared throughout northern India.
Mogul ArchitectureMogul Architecture
• Sometimes Islamic and Hindu features were fused – as in Akbar’s palace complex at Fatehpur Sikri.
• In the pavilion to the right one sees the traditional trabeated Hindu features, merged with Persian domes.
• Sometimes Islamic and Hindu features were fused – as in Akbar’s palace complex at Fatehpur Sikri.
• In the pavilion to the right one sees the traditional trabeated Hindu features, merged with Persian domes.
The Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal• The most
famous Mogul building of all is neither a palace or a mosque.
• Rather, it is a mausoleum to house the favourite wife of a mogul emperor.
• The most famous Mogul building of all is neither a palace or a mosque.
• Rather, it is a mausoleum to house the favourite wife of a mogul emperor.
The Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal
The Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal
• Modelled on a mosque, the building is sited in a garden.
• The glistening white marble appears almost weightless, despite the volume of masonry.
• Modelled on a mosque, the building is sited in a garden.
• The glistening white marble appears almost weightless, despite the volume of masonry.
The Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal• Unlike its Persian
predecessors, there is no sense of horror vacui.
• Rather, the inlaid stone work has a restrained feel of balance and harmony. Floral decoration, and, especially passages from the Koran in magnificent calligraphy, decorate its marble surfaces.
• Unlike its Persian predecessors, there is no sense of horror vacui.
• Rather, the inlaid stone work has a restrained feel of balance and harmony. Floral decoration, and, especially passages from the Koran in magnificent calligraphy, decorate its marble surfaces.
The Mesquita -- CordobaThe Mesquita -- Cordoba
• In Spain, some of the most exuberant Moslem architecture evolved.
• A prime example of this “Moorish” architecture is theMesquite (mosque) in Cordoba.
• In Spain, some of the most exuberant Moslem architecture evolved.
• A prime example of this “Moorish” architecture is theMesquite (mosque) in Cordoba.
The Mesquita - CordobaThe Mesquita - Cordoba
• The horseshoe-shaped double arch atop its forest of columns is easily identified.
• The double arch helped to increase the vertical height of the ceiling.
• The horseshoe-shaped double arch atop its forest of columns is easily identified.
• The double arch helped to increase the vertical height of the ceiling.
The Mesquita - CordobaThe Mesquita - Cordoba
The Mesquita - CordobaThe Mesquita - Cordoba• Close
examination of the pillar capitals reveal that they are recycled from earlier buildings – both Roman and Germanic.
• Close examination of the pillar capitals reveal that they are recycled from earlier buildings – both Roman and Germanic.
The Mesquita - CordobaThe Mesquita - Cordoba
• Another prominent feature is the incredibly intricate arching found in the Mihrab – here called the Capilla de Villaviciosa.
• Another prominent feature is the incredibly intricate arching found in the Mihrab – here called the Capilla de Villaviciosa.
The Mesquita - CordobaThe Mesquita - Cordoba
• The vaulting is also wondrously complex, showing the Arab love of geometry
• The vaulting is also wondrously complex, showing the Arab love of geometry
The Mesquita - CordobaThe Mesquita - Cordoba
• Perhaps the strangest feature of the Mesquita today is th Christian church carved out of the middle of the original mosque.
• Yet another example of cultural recycling – but strangely out of keeping with the rest of the building.
• Perhaps the strangest feature of the Mesquita today is th Christian church carved out of the middle of the original mosque.
• Yet another example of cultural recycling – but strangely out of keeping with the rest of the building.
The Alhambra - GrenadaThe Alhambra - Grenada
• For a time Grenada was the Moorish capital of Spain.
• The Alhambra palace complex contains some of the most beautiful Islamic architecture in the world.
• For a time Grenada was the Moorish capital of Spain.
• The Alhambra palace complex contains some of the most beautiful Islamic architecture in the world.
The Alhambra - GrenadaThe Alhambra - Grenada
• The Court of Lions, with its slim columns and carved lace-like wall surfaces are unique.
• The Court of Lions, with its slim columns and carved lace-like wall surfaces are unique.
The Alhambra - GrenadaThe Alhambra - Grenada
The Alhambra - GrenadaThe Alhambra - Grenada
• The carved stucco of the ceiling in the Hall of the Two Sisters is unparalleled in beauty and geometrical complexity.
• The carved stucco of the ceiling in the Hall of the Two Sisters is unparalleled in beauty and geometrical complexity.
The Alhambra - GrenadaThe Alhambra - Grenada
• Of particular note is the use of water as an architectural feature.
• The Patio de los Aranyanes shows the value of water to a culture with desert roots.
• Of particular note is the use of water as an architectural feature.
• The Patio de los Aranyanes shows the value of water to a culture with desert roots.
The Generalife - GrenadaThe Generalife - Grenada
• The fountains and abundant water features serve to reduce the temperature of the palace gardens.
• The fountains and abundant water features serve to reduce the temperature of the palace gardens.
Mud Mosque at Djenne - MaliMud Mosque at Djenne - Mali
• One of the strangest Islamic structures in the world is the mud mosque at Djenne.
• One of the strangest Islamic structures in the world is the mud mosque at Djenne.
Mud Mosque at Djenne - MaliMud Mosque at Djenne - Mali
• Here the palm wood beams extend out in order to support scaffolding for the workers who must annually plaster its surface.
• Here the palm wood beams extend out in order to support scaffolding for the workers who must annually plaster its surface.
Islamic Architecture TodayIslamic Architecture Today
• Traditional features remain apparent, but are interpreted in novel ways.
• New building materials and techniques create new and interesting possibilities.
• Traditional features remain apparent, but are interpreted in novel ways.
• New building materials and techniques create new and interesting possibilities.
Shah Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Islamic Architecture TodayIslamic Architecture Today
Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, in Brunei.
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