🕌Islamic Art and Architecture Unit 5 – Islamic Religious Architecture

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Mihrab: Niche in the wall of a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca (qibla)
• Minbar: Elevated pulpit in a mosque where the imam delivers sermons
• Minaret: Tower attached to a mosque from which the call to prayer (adhan) is announced
  • Typically tall, slender towers with balconies or platforms
  • Styles vary by region and historical period (spiral, square, octagonal)
• Ablution fountain: Fountain or pool in the courtyard of a mosque for ritual washing before prayer
• Hypostyle hall: Interior space with a flat roof supported by columns or pillars
  • Often used in mosques for large congregational prayers
• Iwan: Vaulted hall or space, walled on three sides with one end entirely open
• Muqarnas: Decorative corbelled squinches forming a honeycomb-like structure
  • Used in domes, vaults, and niches for structural and ornamental purposes

Historical Context and Origins

• Early Islamic architecture emerged in the 7th century CE following the rise of Islam
• Influenced by pre-existing architectural traditions in conquered regions (Byzantine, Sassanian)
• First purpose-built mosques were simple structures (Mosque of the Prophet in Medina)
• Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE) saw the development of key architectural elements
  • Hypostyle hall, mihrab, minaret, and ablution fountain
  • Examples: Great Mosque of Damascus, Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
• Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE) further refined and elaborated on these elements
  • Introduction of the muqarnas and increased use of decorative tilework and calligraphy

Architectural Elements and Features

• Courtyard: Open space surrounded by arcades or porticoes, often with an ablution fountain
• Prayer hall: Main interior space for congregational prayers, typically hypostyle or with a central dome
• Qibla wall: Wall facing the direction of Mecca, often adorned with a mihrab and decorative elements
• Dome: Hemispherical or bulbous roof structure, often used over the prayer hall or tomb chambers
  • Symbolizes the vault of heaven and divine presence
• Arcade: Series of arches supported by columns or piers, used in courtyards and prayer halls
• Decorative elements: Calligraphy, geometric patterns, floral motifs, and tilework
  • Used to adorn walls, domes, minarets, and other surfaces
  • Calligraphy often features Quranic verses or religious phrases

Iconic Structures and Examples

• Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia): One of the oldest and most significant mosques in North Africa
  • Features a massive square minaret and a hypostyle prayer hall with over 400 columns
• The Alhambra (Spain): Palatial complex showcasing the height of Moorish architecture
  • Known for its intricate muqarnas vaulting, courtyards, and ornamental tilework
• Selimiye Mosque (Turkey): Ottoman masterpiece designed by Mimar Sinan
  • Features a massive central dome, slender minarets, and an expansive prayer hall
• Masjid-i Shah (Iran): Safavid-era mosque known for its grand scale and ornate tilework
  • Iwan entrance, flanking minarets, and a large central courtyard with ablution fountains
• Badshahi Mosque (Pakistan): Mughal-era mosque known for its red sandstone and white marble
  • Massive courtyard, four tall minarets, and a large central prayer hall with a dome

Regional Variations and Styles

• Moorish (Al-Andalus): Characterized by horseshoe arches, intricate stucco work, and courtyards
  • Examples: The Alhambra, Great Mosque of Córdoba
• Ottoman: Known for large central domes, slender minarets, and the use of Iznik tiles
  • Influenced by Byzantine architecture and the work of Mimar Sinan
• Safavid (Iran): Features large iwans, elaborate tilework, and the use of colored glass
  • Examples: Shah Mosque in Isfahan, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
• Mughal (Indian subcontinent): Blend of Islamic and Hindu architectural elements
  • Known for the use of red sandstone, white marble, and onion domes
  • Examples: Badshahi Mosque, Jama Masjid in Delhi
• Fatimid (North Africa): Characterized by the use of brick, stucco, and carved wood
  • Examples: Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, Great Mosque of Mahdiya

Symbolism and Religious Significance

• Orientation towards Mecca (qibla) represents unity and submission to Allah
  • Mihrab serves as a focal point and symbol of this orientation
• Dome symbolizes the vault of heaven and divine presence
  • Often placed over the prayer hall or tomb chambers
• Minaret serves as a visual symbol of Islam and a beacon for the faithful
  • Call to prayer (adhan) is announced from the minaret, signifying the presence of a mosque
• Calligraphy and geometric patterns represent the infinite nature of Allah and the divine order
  • Absence of figural imagery in religious contexts to avoid idolatry
• Ablution fountain and ritual washing symbolize purification before prayer
  • Emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and spiritual purity in Islam
• Hypostyle hall and large courtyards accommodate communal prayer and gatherings
  • Reflects the egalitarian nature of Islam and the importance of community

Construction Techniques and Materials

• Brick and stone: Most common building materials, often used in combination
  • Brick used for walls, arches, and vaults; stone for columns, foundations, and decorative elements
• Timber: Used for roofing, doors, and furniture, particularly in regions with ample wood resources
• Stucco: Plaster-like material used for decorative elements and wall coverings
  • Carved, molded, or painted to create intricate patterns and calligraphy
• Tilework: Glazed ceramic tiles used for decorative purposes, particularly in later periods
  • Examples: Iznik tiles in Ottoman architecture, mosaic tiles in Moorish architecture
• Squinches and pendentives: Structural elements used to transition from a square base to a circular dome
  • Squinches are arch-like structures, while pendentives are triangular segments
• Arches and vaults: Used to span openings and support roofs, often in the form of pointed or horseshoe arches
  • Barrel vaults and groin vaults commonly used in hypostyle halls and iwans

Influence on Later Architectural Movements

• Islamic architecture influenced the development of Gothic and Renaissance styles in Europe
  • Pointed arch, ribbed vaulting, and decorative elements adapted in Gothic cathedrals
• Moorish Revival style in the 19th and early 20th centuries drew inspiration from Al-Andalus
  • Examples: Synagogue of Budapest, Sammezzano Castle in Italy
• Neo-Mudéjar style in Spain and Latin America incorporated Moorish architectural elements
  • Examples: Plaza de España in Seville, Basilica of the National Vow in Quito, Ecuador
• Islamic-inspired elements continue to be used in contemporary architecture worldwide
  • Examples: Museum of Islamic Art in Doha (I.M. Pei), King Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
• Islamic gardens and courtyards influenced landscape design in various regions
  • Examples: Generalife Gardens in the Alhambra, Mughal gardens in the Indian subcontinent
• The legacy of Islamic architecture is evident in the use of geometric patterns, calligraphy, and ornamental details in modern design