Islamic Architecture

History of Architecture I
 Islamic Architecture
◼ It differs from other styles in being the product of a religion rather
than a country
◼ Islam includes many religious practices. Followers are generally
required to observe the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five duties
that unite Muslims into a community.
 Islamic Architecture
◼ The practical requirements are expressed in a daily way
of life (the pillars):
◼ Prayer/Salat–5 times a day
◼ Fasting or Ramadan –1 month per year –9th month
◼ Paying taxes to support the poor (Zaka 2 and half %
◼ Pilgrimage (the Hajj) -to Mecca once in lifetime,
commanded in KORAN
 Islamic Architecture

◼ Almost all Muslims belong to one of two major

denominations, the Sunni and Shi'a
◼ The Koran–the holy book of the Muslims
◼ The reading is in Arabic
◼ All worshipers have equal right s to prayer
◼ No sanctuary , no sacrificial ritual
◼ Decorations: Geometrical patterns, writings and plant
forms.
 Islamic Architecture

Officials
◼ The Muezzin–who calls the faithful to prayer

◼ The khatib– who preaches and leads prayer in the

Mosque
◼ Amir–administrative officer

◼ Sultan–Civil and military leader

◼ The Imam–the paid official who represents the

caliph.
 Islamic Architecture

The Mosque ( Masjid)

A mosque is the most important Islamic building. It is a

sacred building used by Muslims for prayer. The word
"mosque" is Arabic for "a place of prostration" or bowing
down to Allah. Besides being a place of prayer, the
mosque was also used as a "community center" for a
combination of reasons.
 Islamic Architecture
The Masjid (Mosque)

◼ It housed no god, celebrated no historic event, contained no

sanctuary
◼ The ritual requirements were simple:
◼ A wall to indicate the direction of Mecca (the Quibla Wall) and
an area in which the faithful assemble.
 Islamic Architecture

◼ Four centered dome

◼ decorated on the
outside and inside
with beautiful tiles in
geometric designs.
Islamic Architecture

Islamic Tympanum
 Islamic Architecture
The Mosque ( Masjid)

Essential feature
1. The Minaret –a tall tower with
stairs leading up to one or
more balconies from which
the faithful are called to
prayer by the Muezzin(5
times) –it can be round or
square. It can be 1,2,4,6 or 7
in number.
2. The Court–for the worshipers
 Islamic Architecture
The Mosque ( Masjid)
3. The Mihrab–An arched niche
in the mosque indicating the
direction of prayer- MEKAH
◼ Focal point of decoration –
indicate the holy city
 Islamic Architecture
The Mosque ( Masjid)

4. The Minbar–a stage to the

right of the mihrab
◼ Recalls the three steps from
which Mohammed addressed
his followers
◼ A railed enclosure for the
caliph

The mihrab (left) and

minbar (the steps on the right)
 Islamic Architecture
The Mosque ( Masjid)
5. The fountain or the ablution pool (hauz)
◼ For ceremonial washing before prayer.
◼ Before prayers, the faithful cleaned their
faces, hands, feet, and rinsed their
mouths. Cleaning was an act that was
both symbolic and literal to prepare
oneself to meet with God in prayer.

Ablution fountain
in front of the Umayyad Mosque, Syria
 Islamic Architecture

6. The Arcades
◼ With small doors and windows
prevailed because of the fierce
heat of the sun.
◼ The pointed arch was used as a
symbol of faith
◼ Formed of two segments of a
circle or as a four centered arch.

Arcade with pointed dome

 Islamic Architecture

◼ Entrance
◼ Movement through the
mosque is generally a series
of three cycles, each
consisting of "connection",
"transition" and
"culmination".
◼ The first cycle starts at the
entrance to the Mosque and
is typically marked by an
Eivan.
 Islamic Architecture

◼ Beyond the Eivan the

visitor enters the zone of
Transition which
normally consists of a
passageway or eight-
sided hall - Hashti. This
may also force spatial
re-orientation.
 Islamic Architecture
◼ Meidan this will mark the first culmination point, before
the next cycle begins. In smaller mosques the process
may start at the entrance to the sanctuary chamber.
 Islamic Architecture
◼ View of an Eivan stalactite forms (Muqqarna) The next
cycle starts at an Eivan. The transition stage is typically the
vault and culminates in the sanctuary. Very large mosques
may provide alternative paths.
 Islamic
Architecture

◼ The final cycle takes place in

the sanctuary. The MEHRAB
provides a spatial connection to
Meccah while the Transition
phase is upwards through the
drum to the Culmination of the
dome.
 Islamic Architecture
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
◼ The oldest Islamic building to
have survived intact in its
original form.
◼ The site was first consecrated
by the Israelites who build the
first and the Second temple
(Solomon and Zerubbabel) –
destroyed by the Romans in
70 AD
◼ Then emperor Hadrian built a
temple to Jupiter which was
later consecrated as a
catholic church by the
crusaders.
 Islamic Architecture
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

◼ The new mosque which is Byzantine

in conception can be entered on all
four points of the compass
◼ The dome and the drum are not of
brick or stone but of wood
◼ The dome is covered with golden
copper-alloy plates and the drum with
shimmering mosaic patterns
 Islamic Architecture
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

Mosaic covered exterior wall

 Islamic Architecture
Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 709-15 AD
◼ The Arabs adopted numbering systems from the Indians, skills in
construction from the Persians, skills in vaulting from the Byzantines,
skills in masonry from the Armenians.
 Islamic Architecture
Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 709-15 AD
The mosque was built on a religious site dating back to
ancient Aramaic temple dedicated to the god Hadad. The
Romans built a temple on it which was transformed to a
church in the 4thc.
 Islamic Architecture
Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 709-15 AD

◼ The plan of the mosque is a 97x156m rectangle with 3

gates that connect the building to the city. The mosque is
defined by three halls that run parallel to the qibla wall
◼ The location of the mihrab is enhanced by an octagonal
36m high Nisr Dome (dome of the Eagle)
◼ The building was richly outfitted with marble paneling and
mosaic.
 Islamic Architecture
Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq 848-52
◼ 156x240m for centuries it was the
largest mosque in the world.
◼ 16 door ways that fed into the vast
interior.
◼ On the inside there were 4 hypostyle
structure (one prayer hall and three
porticos) arranged around a large
courtyard.
 Islamic Architecture
Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq 848-52

◼ The minaret is a free standing element placed on axis in

front of the principal North entrance. It had a helicoidal
shape that reached 50m to the summit , with an external
staircase.
 Islamic Architecture
The great mosque, Cordoba, Spain

◼ AD 786, A center of Islam in the west

◼ 128 x 170m,19 aisles running N-S, is approached from the
open court by 19 bronze doors.
◼ Colonnades are in 2 heights formed of colored columns of
varying designs
◼ 9m in height –remarkable for circular arches
 Islamic Architecture

The great mosque, Cordoba, Spain

◼ Floor –glowing mosaic
◼ Roof of mihrab–brilliant glass and gold
◼ Horseshoe arches
 Islamic Architecture

The Alhambra, Granada, Spain(1238 -73)

◼ It was first and foremost a fortification, and exemplifies the
military aspects of the complex.
◼ Most perfect example of Islamic architecture
◼ exterior of bright red burnet brick
 Islamic Architecture
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain(1238 -73)
◼ The palaces are arranged to form a dense network of
rooms mediated by airy gardens with pools of water
 Islamic Architecture
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain(1238 -73)
◼ Ornaments, lustrous (shining) tiling and variegated
marble (different color marble.
◼ Salons, courtyards, pavilions, fountains and shady
loggias.

close-up of ornamental relief

 Islamic Architecture
The Taj mahal, agra, India
◼ 1632-43 AD
◼ 300x500m
◼ The garden tomb or royal
mausoleum was brought to
perfection
◼ It was a funerary tomb for
Mumtaz Mahal, Shah jahan
favorite queen.
 Islamic Architecture
The Taj mahal, agra, India

◼ Constructed of white
marble
◼ Precious and semi-
precious stone inside
◼ The translucent white
marble that covers the
entire surface of the
tomb, absorbs and
reflects the light

Detail of carving on wall of TajMahal

 Islamic Architecture
The Taj mahal, agra, India

◼ Is symmetrical in plan, being a square of 56x56m

◼ Has a central dome 24m high and 17.5m diameter
surmounted by an outer dome nearly 60m above the
platform
 Islamic Architecture
Caravanserai ("Caravan Inns")
◼ In the harsh conditions in the countryside of most Islamic countries,
travelers needed places of rest and shelter as they traveled
between the widely spaced cities and towns. They were often built by
the rulers to encourage trade which they taxed.

caravanserai
in Bisotun, Iran
 Islamic Architecture
Caravanserai ("Caravan Inns")
◼ The main function of a caravanserai was to receive
travelers and merchandise. These caravanserai
consisted of courtyards to take care of animals, rooms
to lodge the travelers, and storage areas for their goods.