Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mosques Mosques Dome of the Rock Dome of the Rock Located in Jerusalem Located in Jerusalem c. 684 A.D. c. 684 A.D. Built on the spot where Muslims believe the prophet Mohamed was carried to heaven Built on the spot where Muslims believe the prophet Mohamed was carried to heaven Photo: Sullivan

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

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

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mausoleums Mausoleums Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal c – 1648 c – 1648 Located in Agra, India Located in Agra, India Built as a memorial by a Muslim Indian ruler to his wife Built as a memorial by a Muslim Indian ruler to his wife Photo: Sullivan

Islamic Architecture: Public Buildings Mausoleums Mausoleums Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal Features Features Assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sources Assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish sources Many gardens and water pools Many gardens and water pools Inlaid stone patterns and Koranic inscriptions Inlaid stone patterns and Koranic inscriptions Lacy marble walls Lacy marble walls Large portals Large portals Extravagant domes 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 Other Features Materials Materials Brick Brick Local stone Local stone Marble Marble Stucco Stucco

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

References Sullivan, Mary; Sullivan, Mary; Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

Islamic Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp