Moorish Architecture

Prepared by: Kairavi Jani (2018)

Introduction to Moors:

• The term ‘Moor’ is believed to have been used by European Christians for Muslims in Spain and North Africa, while Spain was
under their rule.

• They were nomadic people from North Africa who were originally from Mauretania.

• Moors not only invaded lands but brought their culture and Islamic religion as well to the places they invaded.

• Their reigned from 711 to 1492.

• Their 700 years of reign on Spain made it distinct from rest of the Western Europe.
Spread of Moorish invasion:

• After over throwing Visigoths in Spain in 711, they Moors started to spread
across Pyrenees into France. However, they were turned back by Charles
Martel and his Frankish knights in 732.

• In southern Spain Moors established Ummayad caliphate in Cordoba. Other

important cities under Moorish reign were Toledo, Granada and Seville.

• The caliphate fell in 11th century and Moorish Spain was captured by
Almoravids who were supplanted in 1174 by Almohads.

• In 1085 Toledo was captured and in 1236 Cordoba fell. The last Moorish
Fig 1: Moorish Conquest in 711 to 732
city of Granada fell in 1492.

• Most of the Moors were driven out of Spain but the two groups, Mudejares
and Moriscos remained.

• Two of the important buildings reflecting Moorish architecture are

Alhambra in Granada and Escorial in Cordoba.

Fig. 2: Moorish Conquest in 814

Main features of Moorish Architecture
through Alhambra, Granada:

• Alhambra is abbreviation of Arabic Qal’at al-Hamra or Red Fort. It was

built by Nasrid dynasty in 14th century, who were the last Muslims to rule
in Spain.

• It had four main gates and nearly 26 acres include structures with three
distinct purposes, a residence for the ruler and close family, the citadel, Fig. 3: Ground Floor Plan
Alcazaba—barracks for the elite guard who were responsible for the safety
of the complex, and an area called medina (or city), near the Puerta del
Vino (Wine Gate), where court officials lived and worked.

• It comprises of three palaces, Comares Palace, the Palace of the Lions, and
the Partal Palace, each of which was built during 14th century. A large
fourth palace was later begun by the Christian ruler, Carlos V.

• The horse-shoe shaped arch shown in Fig.4 is an important feature of Fig. 5: Coloured Tiled panel
Moorish architecture.
Fig. 4: Gate to the palace
• Coloured tiled panels as shown in Fig.5 which also adorn other courts and
halls, are a recurrent motif.

• The Moorish built courtyards with surrounding buildings opening into them.
The courtyards often had plantations and fountains as important features;
as shown in Fig. 6.

• Richly decorated arch of the portico, the beautiful muqarnas arch is

another important part of Moorish architecture. It is decorated throughout
in carved stucco, originally painted in many colors These are mere
Fig. 6: Court of the
decorations and have no structural purpose. Refer Fig. 7. Myrtles in the Comares
Fig. 7: Arch in northern side of Court of
the Myrtles
Palace
Main features of Moorish Architecture
through Alhambra, Granada:

• As shown in Fig. 8, wall niche on the northern side of the Court of the
Myrtles. On both sides of the portico galleries on the narrow sides of the
patio are small rooms, known as albamfes. These illustrate the full range
of Nasrid decorative art. Above the ceramic decorative tiling in the dado
area rise muqarnas vaults and intricate polychrome plasterwork, with
epigraphic borders. Fig. 8: Niche Fig. 9: Detail of an inscription

• Islamic text was inscribed as an important part of the building. Refer Fig.
9.

• The intricate Details as shown in Fig. 10 & 11 are a distinct feather of

Moorish Architecture.

Fig. 10: Recess in the Fig. 11: Throne Room of

Throne Room the Comares Palace
Main features of Moorish Architecture
through Escorial, Cordoba :

• The Escorial is a vast building complex located in San Lorenzo de El

Escorial, near Madrid, in central Spain. The building is the most important
architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance. Construction of El
Escorial began in 1563 and ended in 1584.

• The project was conceived by King Philip II, who wanted a building to
serve the multiple purposes of a burial place for his father, Holy Roman
emperor Charles V; a Hieronymite monastery; and a palace.

• Arranged within a quadrangle, the buildings include:

the church (1582); the monastery, royal palace, and college (1584), and
the library (1592).

• An important collection of paintings by Renaissance and baroque artists

donated by the crown is among the many artistic treasures housed in the
complex.’ Refer Fig. 13. Fig. 12: Plan of El Escorial

• The gardens with plants grown in vivid geometrical patterns are an

important feature of Moorish architecture can be seen in this building.
Refer Fig. 14.

Fig. 13: El Escorial, The Royal Library

Fig. 14: El Escorial, The Palace

Gardens
Important Moorish Architecture
buildings:

• Alcazaba of Malaga, is one of the oldest Moorish forts on the Iberian Peninsula.

• Castle of Gibralfaro (Castillo de Gibralfaro), Malaga.

• Medina Azahara, the ruins of a medieval Muslim fortress city on the outskirts of Cordoba, originally named 'The Shining City’.

• Mezquita de las Torneras, 11th century building built in Toledo.

• Mosque of Cristo de la Luz was built in 999AD and is located in Toledo.

• Alcazar of Sevilla, is an important Moorish palace.

• La Giralda is a bell tower built in 1184 in the cathedral of Sevilla. It was originally built by to serve the purpose of mosque,
however it was changed to be used as a bell tower.

• Almonaster Mosque built in 10th century. It underwent a lot of functional changes with the collapse of the Muslim rule.

• Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera the only surviving mosque in Andalusian city. Built in parts in 11th and 12th century.