Islamic Architecture
HISTORY
Refers to traditions for construction established by muslim people from 7th century.
Includes religious buildings intended for worship by muslims and secular buildings built in a
predominantly Islamic region.
Stemmed from Christian, persian and Indian.
Forms and styles came largely from byzantine empire
Elements of persian architecture influenced structures in india (ex: Taj Mahal)
Earliest examples use horseshoe-shaped arch
ISLAM AS A RELIGION
Islam is a monotheistic religion that became popular in the Middle East.
o Sujud or Sajdah – the act of low bowing to Allah facing the qiblah (direction of Kaaba at Mecca),
usually done in standard prayers (salah)
Islamic nations did not separate church and state, but instead saw the two as completely intertwined.
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Focuses on the interior rather than the exterior of the structure.
Patterns and ornamentation
o Islamic design is aniconic in nature.
o Absence of human animal forms withi art, as it is prohibited to attempt to imitate the workd of
God.
o Arabesque – form of biomorphic art that uses floral patterns that add movement to the overall
design
o Geometric
Makes use of repeared shapes such as circles or squares
o Calligraphy
Represents a decorative form of writing that presents the text in an artistic manner.
TERMINOLOGIES
Mosque
o Place where muslims gather and offer their prayers. Also where religious events, festivals and
celebrations are held.
o Around the mosque are community schools and centers.
o Four Types of Mosques:
Masjid – general term for a mosque. Mosque used for daily prayer by individuals or
small groups. Has a Mihrab but not Minbar (pulpit; elevated platform or elevated
staircase)
Jami – congregational or Friday mosque. Used mainly for weekly service. Usually larger
than a masji. Provided with a Minbar
Idgah – “place of community prayer” great open praying area with a…
Madrasa – teaching mosque
Alcazar
o “Moorish”
o A fortress complex similar to a castle or palace where government officials live and work.
o EX: Alhambra, Spain
Iwan
o Also called Ivan
o Vaulted space that opens one side to a courtyard
o Strongly associated with Persian architecture and continued to be used in monumental
architecture in Islam.
Four-Eyvan
o Also called four-iwan
o Four vaulted halls
o Plan with large courtyard connected to four vaults on each wall
Minaret
o “Beacon” (Arabic)
o Tower attached to the mosque
o Where the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer (five times a day)
o Minaret of Abu Dulaf Moosque??
Minbar
o Also called “mimbar”
o Pulpit which the imam delivers his sermon
Muqarna
o “stalactite” decoration of icile-like elements hanging from the ceiling
o Demi-dome that connects the walls with the roof
Qibla
o Wall in a mosque in which the mihrab (niche or decorative panel) is set, oriented to Mecca
Sahn
o Courtyard, surrounded by a riwaq (arcade) on all sides
o Equivalent of medieval cloisters
Squinches
o Supports under the dome. Chunky rectangular supports that fit diagonally across the room’s
square corners.
FAMOUS MOSQUES
Blue Mosque
o Sultan Ahmed Mosque
o UNESCO WHS 1985
o Istanbul, Turkey
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
o Abu Dhabi, UAE 2007
o 80 domes
Dome of the Rock
o Golden dome
o Contains the oldest mihrab
o “mosque of omar”
o Sits on a rock from which Muhammad ascended into heaven
Prophet’s Mosque
o Al-Masjid An-Nabwi
o Built by Muhammad in Medina
o Second largest mosque and second holiest site in Islam
o Green dome in the south-east corner is where the tomb of Muhammad is located.
The Great Mosque
o Al-masjid Al-Haram
o Holiest and largest mosque
o Site of the Haj pilgrimage
o Houses the Ka’ba, small cubical stone building in the……..
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Islamic architecture combines a variety of artistic traditions from the reaches of islam empires into
structures designed using characteristics commons to Islamic culture in general.
Focused on the interior, with elaborate decoration in geometric forms
Physical characteristics include domes, arches, minarets, muqarnas, vaulting, and girih tiles
