Islamic architecture

Islamic architecture
Name	Islamic architecture
Years	7th century – present
Influenced	Moorish architecture, Mughal architecture, Ottoman architecture

Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam in the 7th century to the present day. It includes buildings constructed for Islamic purposes, such as mosques and madrasas, as well as structures built in regions under Islamic rule, including palaces, caravanserais, and mausoleums. The architecture is characterized by its emphasis on interior space, intricate geometric and arabesque decoration, and the innovative use of forms like the dome, arch, and muqarnas.

Origins and influences

The earliest structures, such as the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, were simple and functional, drawing from existing building traditions in the Arabian Peninsula. As the Rashidun Caliphate and later the Umayyad Caliphate expanded, architects incorporated and transformed elements from conquered civilizations, notably Byzantine architecture and Sasanian art. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, completed under Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, is a seminal work showcasing early synthesis, featuring a central dome and elaborate mosaics. Subsequent dynasties, including the Abbasid Caliphate centered at Baghdad and Samarra, further developed these styles, while contacts along the Silk Road introduced influences from Central Asia and beyond.

Architectural elements

Key structural and decorative elements define the visual language. The pointed arch, which later influenced Gothic architecture, and the horseshoe arch are prevalent. Vaulting systems, including the ribbed vault and the complex, honeycomb-like muqarnas, are used for transitional zones and decorative ceilings. Domes, often placed over prayer halls or mausoleums, became monumental symbols, as seen on the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. Courtyards, known as sahn, are central to mosque design, typically featuring a fountain for ablutions. Minarets, like those of the Great Mosque of Samarra with its iconic Malwiya Tower, serve as towers for the adhan.

Regional styles

Distinct styles emerged across the vast Islamic world, shaped by local materials, climates, and pre-Islamic traditions. In the Maghreb and Al-Andalus, Moorish architecture produced masterpieces like the Great Mosque of Cordoba and the Alhambra. The Ottoman Empire, inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, perfected the central-dome mosque, exemplified by the Süleymaniye Mosque and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. In Persia, the Safavid dynasty advanced the use of colored tilework and monumental iwans, as at the Shah Mosque in Isfahan. Further east, the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent fused Persian elements with local Hindu and Jain traditions, creating landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the Fatehpur Sikri.

Major building types

The mosque is the primary religious building, with the congregational Friday mosque (Masjid al-Jami) being the most significant. Madrasas, such as those surrounding the Registan in Samarkand, are theological schools centered on courtyards. Palaces and citadels, like the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul or the Alcázar of Seville, demonstrated secular power and luxury. Funerary architecture ranges from simple tombs to monumental mausoleums, including the Gur-e Amir and the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Commercial and civic structures include covered bazaars, public baths (hammam), and fortified waystations for travelers known as caravanserai.

Decoration and ornamentation

Surface decoration, avoiding figurative representation in religious contexts, relies on geometric patterns, vegetal arabesques, and calligraphy. Glazed tilework, particularly cuerda seca and mosaic faience, reached its zenith in buildings like the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz. Stucco carving, as seen in the Alhambra's Court of the Lions, and intricate woodwork are common. Calligraphic inscriptions often feature verses from the Quran or praise for patrons, such as those adorning the interior of the Dome of the Rock. This ornamental wealth also extends to objects like Iznik pottery, Persian carpets, and Mamluk metalwork.

Modern interpretations

The 19th and 20th centuries saw revivalist movements, like the Indo-Saracenic style used for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. Contemporary architects often seek to reinterpret traditional principles with modern technology and materials. The works of Hassan Fathy, who championed vernacular architecture in Egypt, and the designs of Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa are notable. Landmark modern structures include the Great Mosque of Djenné, rebuilt using traditional techniques, the King Abdullah I Mosque in Amman, and the monumental Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Firms like the Aga Khan Award for Architecture actively promote contemporary design within Islamic cultural contexts.

Category:Architectural styles Category:Islamic art