A specially recognisable Islamic architectural style emerged soon after Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) time, developing from localized adaptations of Eygptions Byzantian, and Persian models. Distinguishing motifs of Islamic architecture have always been ordered repetition, radiating structures, and rhythmic, metric patterns. In this respect, fractal geometry has been a key utility, especially for mosques and palaces. Other significant features employed as motifs include columns, piers and arches, organized and interwoven with alternating sequences of niches and colonnettes.The role of domes in Islamic architecture has been considerable. Its usage spans centuries, first appearing in 691 with the construction of the Dome of the Rock, and recurring even up until the 17th century with the Taj Mahal. As late as the 19th century, Islamic domes had been incorporated into Western architecture.
Ottoman Architecture
Persian Architecture
Moorish Architecture
Turkistan Architecture
PERSIAN ARCHITECTURE
The Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century led early Islamic architects to borrow and adopt some traditions and ways of the fallen Persian Empire Islamic architecture thus borrows heavily from Persian architecture and in many ways can be called an extension and further evolution of Persian architecture. Many cities, including Baghdad, were based on precedents such as Firouzabad in Persia. Persian-style mosques are characterized by their tapered brick pillars, large arcades and arches each supported by several pillars. In South Asia, elements of Hindu architecture were employed, but were later superseded by Persian designs.
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The Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century led early Islamic architects to borrow and adopt some traditions and ways of the fallen Persian Empire Islamic architecture thus borrows heavily from Persian architecture and in many ways can be called an extension and further evolution of Persian architecture. Many cities, including Baghdad, were based on precedents such as Firouzabad in Persia. Persian-style mosques are characterized by their tapered brick pillars, large arcades and arches each supported by several pillars. In South Asia, elements of Hindu architecture were employed, but were later superseded by Persian designs.
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MOORISH ARCHITECTURE
Construction of the Great Mosque (now a cathedral known as the Mezquita) beginning in 785 CE marks the beginning of Islamic architecture in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. The mosque is noted for its striking interior arches. Moorish architecture reached its peak with the construction of the Alhambra, the magnificent palace/fortress of Granada, with its open and breezy interior spaces adorned in red, blue, and gold. The walls are decorated with stylized foliage motifs, Arabic inscriptions, and arabesque design work, with walls covered in glazed tile. Moorish architecture has its roots deeply established in the Arab tradition of architecture and design established during the era of the first Caliphate of the Ummayads in the Levant circa 660AD with its capital Damascus having very well preserved examples of fine Arab Islamic design and geometrics, including the carmen, which is the typical Damascene house, opening on the inside with a fountain as the house's centre piece.
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Construction of the Great Mosque (now a cathedral known as the Mezquita) beginning in 785 CE marks the beginning of Islamic architecture in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. The mosque is noted for its striking interior arches. Moorish architecture reached its peak with the construction of the Alhambra, the magnificent palace/fortress of Granada, with its open and breezy interior spaces adorned in red, blue, and gold. The walls are decorated with stylized foliage motifs, Arabic inscriptions, and arabesque design work, with walls covered in glazed tile. Moorish architecture has its roots deeply established in the Arab tradition of architecture and design established during the era of the first Caliphate of the Ummayads in the Levant circa 660AD with its capital Damascus having very well preserved examples of fine Arab Islamic design and geometrics, including the carmen, which is the typical Damascene house, opening on the inside with a fountain as the house's centre piece.
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OTTOMAN TURKISH ARCHITECTURE
The Architecture of most of the popular mosque in Turkey obtained influence from Byzantine, Persian and Syriana-Arab designs. Turkish architects implemented their own style of cupola domes. The architecture of the Turkish Ottoman Empire forms a distinctive whole, especially the great mosques by and in the style of Sinan, like the mid-16th century Suleiman Mosque. For almost 500 years Byzantine Architecture such as the church of Hagia-Sophia served as models for many of the Ottoman mosques such as the Shehzade Mosque, the Suleiman Mosque, and the Rüstem Pasha Mosque.
The Architecture of most of the popular mosque in Turkey obtained influence from Byzantine, Persian and Syriana-Arab designs. Turkish architects implemented their own style of cupola domes. The architecture of the Turkish Ottoman Empire forms a distinctive whole, especially the great mosques by and in the style of Sinan, like the mid-16th century Suleiman Mosque. For almost 500 years Byzantine Architecture such as the church of Hagia-Sophia served as models for many of the Ottoman mosques such as the Shehzade Mosque, the Suleiman Mosque, and the Rüstem Pasha Mosque.
Ottomans mastered the technique of building vast inner spaces confined by seemingly weightless yet massive domes, and achieving perfect harmony between inner and outer spaces, as well as light and shadow. Islamic religious architecture which until then consisted a simple buildings with extensive
TURKISTAN (TIMURID) ARCHITECTURE
Turkistan (Timurid) Architecture is the pinnacle of Islamic art in Central Asia. Spectacular and stately edifices erected by Timur and his cuccessors in Samarkand and Herat helped to disseminate the influence of the Ilkhanid School of Art in India, thus giving rise to the celebrated Mughal school of architecture. The style is largely derived from Persian architecture. Axial Symmetry is a characteristic of all major Timurid structures, notably the Shah-e-Zendah in Samarkand and the mosque of Gowhar Shad in Mashhad. Double domes of various shapes abound, and the outsides are perfused with brilliant colors.
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Turkistan (Timurid) Architecture is the pinnacle of Islamic art in Central Asia. Spectacular and stately edifices erected by Timur and his cuccessors in Samarkand and Herat helped to disseminate the influence of the Ilkhanid School of Art in India, thus giving rise to the celebrated Mughal school of architecture. The style is largely derived from Persian architecture. Axial Symmetry is a characteristic of all major Timurid structures, notably the Shah-e-Zendah in Samarkand and the mosque of Gowhar Shad in Mashhad. Double domes of various shapes abound, and the outsides are perfused with brilliant colors.
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FATIMID ARCHITECTURE
In architecture, the Fatimids followed Tulunid techniques and used similar materials, but also developed those of their own. In Cairo, their first congregational mosque was al-Azhar mosque ("the splendid") founded along with the city (969–973), which, together with its adjacent institution of higher learning al-Azhar University, became the spiritual center for Ismaili Shia. The Mosque of al-Hakim (r. 996–1013), an important example of Fatimid architecture and architectural decoration, played a critical role in Fatimid ceremonial and procession, which emphasized the religious and political role of the Fatimid caliph. Besides elaborate funerary monuments, other surviving Fatimid structures include the Mosque of al-Aqmar (1125) as well as the monumental gates for Cairo's city walls commissioned by the powerful Fatimid emir and vizier Badr al-Jamali (r. 1073–1094).
In architecture, the Fatimids followed Tulunid techniques and used similar materials, but also developed those of their own. In Cairo, their first congregational mosque was al-Azhar mosque ("the splendid") founded along with the city (969–973), which, together with its adjacent institution of higher learning al-Azhar University, became the spiritual center for Ismaili Shia. The Mosque of al-Hakim (r. 996–1013), an important example of Fatimid architecture and architectural decoration, played a critical role in Fatimid ceremonial and procession, which emphasized the religious and political role of the Fatimid caliph. Besides elaborate funerary monuments, other surviving Fatimid structures include the Mosque of al-Aqmar (1125) as well as the monumental gates for Cairo's city walls commissioned by the powerful Fatimid emir and vizier Badr al-Jamali (r. 1073–1094).
MAMLUK ARCHITECTURE
The reign of the Mamluks (1250-1517 AD) marked a breathtaking flowering of Islamic art which is most visible in old Cairo. The architectural identity of Mamluk religious monuments stems from the major purpose that individuals erected their own memorials, therefore adding a high degree of individuality. Each building reflected the patron's individual tastes, choices, and name.
The reign of the Mamluks (1250-1517 AD) marked a breathtaking flowering of Islamic art which is most visible in old Cairo. The architectural identity of Mamluk religious monuments stems from the major purpose that individuals erected their own memorials, therefore adding a high degree of individuality. Each building reflected the patron's individual tastes, choices, and name.
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE
Another distinctive sub-style is the architecture of the Mughal Emphire in India in the 16th century and a fusion of Arabic, Persian and Hindu elements. The Mughal emperor Akbar constructed the royal city of Fatehpur Sikri, located 26 miles west of Agra, in the late 1500s. The most famous example of Mughal architecture is the Taj Mahal, the "teardrop on eternity," completed in 1648 by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to their 14th child. The extensive use of precious and semiprecious stones as inlay and the vast quantity of white marble required nearly bankrupted the empire. The Taj Mahal is completely symmetric except for Shah Jahan's sarcophagus, which is placed off center in the crypt room below the main floor. This symmetry extended to the building of an entire mirror mosque in red sandstone to complement the Mecca-facing mosque place to the west of the main structure.
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Another distinctive sub-style is the architecture of the Mughal Emphire in India in the 16th century and a fusion of Arabic, Persian and Hindu elements. The Mughal emperor Akbar constructed the royal city of Fatehpur Sikri, located 26 miles west of Agra, in the late 1500s. The most famous example of Mughal architecture is the Taj Mahal, the "teardrop on eternity," completed in 1648 by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to their 14th child. The extensive use of precious and semiprecious stones as inlay and the vast quantity of white marble required nearly bankrupted the empire. The Taj Mahal is completely symmetric except for Shah Jahan's sarcophagus, which is placed off center in the crypt room below the main floor. This symmetry extended to the building of an entire mirror mosque in red sandstone to complement the Mecca-facing mosque place to the west of the main structure.
(Click the thumbnail of 'Other Architecture' above to view other photos of Mughal Architecture)
SINO ISLAM ARCHITECTURE
An important feature in Chinese architerture is its emphasis on symmetry which connotes a sense of grandeur; this applies to everything from palace to mosques . One notable exception is in the design of gardens , which tends to be as asymmetrical as possible. Like Chinese scroll paintings, the principle underlying the garden's composition is to create enduring flow; to let the patron wander and enjoy the garden without prescription, as in nature herself. Chinese buildings may be built with either red or grey bricks, but wooden structures are the most common; these are more capable of withstanding earthquakes, but are vulnerable to fire . The roof of a typical Chinese building is curved; there are strict classifications of gable types, comparable with the clasical orders of European columns. Some Chinese mosques in parts of western China were more likely to incorporate minarets and domes while eastern Chinese mosques were more likely to look like pagodas.
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An important feature in Chinese architerture is its emphasis on symmetry which connotes a sense of grandeur; this applies to everything from palace to mosques . One notable exception is in the design of gardens , which tends to be as asymmetrical as possible. Like Chinese scroll paintings, the principle underlying the garden's composition is to create enduring flow; to let the patron wander and enjoy the garden without prescription, as in nature herself. Chinese buildings may be built with either red or grey bricks, but wooden structures are the most common; these are more capable of withstanding earthquakes, but are vulnerable to fire . The roof of a typical Chinese building is curved; there are strict classifications of gable types, comparable with the clasical orders of European columns. Some Chinese mosques in parts of western China were more likely to incorporate minarets and domes while eastern Chinese mosques were more likely to look like pagodas.
(Click the thumbnail of 'Other Architecture' above to view photos of Sino-Islam Architecture)
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
Modern Islamic architecture has recently been taken to a new level with such buildings being erected such as the Burj Dubai, which is soon to be the world's tallest building. The Burj Dubai's design is derived from the patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture, with the triple-lobed footprint of the building based on an abstracted version of the desert flower hymenocallis which is native to the Dubai region. Nature and flowers have often been the focal point in most traditional Islamic designs. Many modern interpretations of Islamic architecture can be found in Dubai due to the architectural boom of the Arab World.
(Click the thumbnail of 'Other Architecture' above to view photos of contemporary Architecture)
Modern Islamic architecture has recently been taken to a new level with such buildings being erected such as the Burj Dubai, which is soon to be the world's tallest building. The Burj Dubai's design is derived from the patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture, with the triple-lobed footprint of the building based on an abstracted version of the desert flower hymenocallis which is native to the Dubai region. Nature and flowers have often been the focal point in most traditional Islamic designs. Many modern interpretations of Islamic architecture can be found in Dubai due to the architectural boom of the Arab World.
(Click the thumbnail of 'Other Architecture' above to view photos of contemporary Architecture)
Fatimid & Mamluk Architecture
ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
This website is established with the purpose of creating an easier and a more clear compilation of the treasured Islamic architecture, which are well-known in several countries from the past until the present. There are several of these architectures that are still utilized in today's structure; thus, the Islamic architecture is applied together with modern architecture in the construction of mosques in many Islamic countries.
Take note that this website does not intend to explain aspects of the history of Islamic architecture in detail. Moreover, this website does not further discuss the history of several Islamic governments that are related to the reign of the Islamic architecture during their respective period of colonization. The purpose of this website is to briefly state the historical aspects, with more emphasis on displaying the beauty of the Islamic architecture mentioned (through pictorial compilation). The main objective is to allow individuals (whether they are professionals in architectural designs, or those who are less knowledgeable in this area) to have a clear understanding of the beautiful nature of the structure. Furthermore, these individuals will be able to appreciate the values instilled in each Islamic architecture by the architects.
This website is established with the purpose of creating an easier and a more clear compilation of the treasured Islamic architecture, which are well-known in several countries from the past until the present. There are several of these architectures that are still utilized in today's structure; thus, the Islamic architecture is applied together with modern architecture in the construction of mosques in many Islamic countries.
Take note that this website does not intend to explain aspects of the history of Islamic architecture in detail. Moreover, this website does not further discuss the history of several Islamic governments that are related to the reign of the Islamic architecture during their respective period of colonization. The purpose of this website is to briefly state the historical aspects, with more emphasis on displaying the beauty of the Islamic architecture mentioned (through pictorial compilation). The main objective is to allow individuals (whether they are professionals in architectural designs, or those who are less knowledgeable in this area) to have a clear understanding of the beautiful nature of the structure. Furthermore, these individuals will be able to appreciate the values instilled in each Islamic architecture by the architects.
Ummayad Mosque, Syria
Baybars Mosque, Cairo
While the organization of Mamluk monuments varied, the funerary dome and minaret were constant leitmotifs. These attributes are prominent features in a Mamluk mosque's profile and were significant in the beautification of the city skyline. In Cairo, the funerary dome and minaret were respected as symbols of commemoration and worship. Patrons used these visual attributes to express their individuality by decorating each dome and minaret with distinct patterns. Patterns carved on domes ranged from ribs and zigzags to floral and geometric star designs.
Expanding on the Fatimids concept of street-adjusted mosque facades, the Mamluks developed their architecture to enhance street vistas. In addition, new aesthetic concepts and architectural solutions were created to reflect their assumed role in history. By 1285 the essential features of Mamluk architecture were already established in the complex of Sultan Qalawan. However, it took three decades for the Mamluks to create a new and distinct architecture. By 1517, the Ottoman conquest brought Mamluk architecture to an end without a term of decadence.
(Click the thumbnail "Fatimid & Mamluk Architecture"above to view other photos of Fatimid and Mamluk Architecture)
Expanding on the Fatimids concept of street-adjusted mosque facades, the Mamluks developed their architecture to enhance street vistas. In addition, new aesthetic concepts and architectural solutions were created to reflect their assumed role in history. By 1285 the essential features of Mamluk architecture were already established in the complex of Sultan Qalawan. However, it took three decades for the Mamluks to create a new and distinct architecture. By 1517, the Ottoman conquest brought Mamluk architecture to an end without a term of decadence.
(Click the thumbnail "Fatimid & Mamluk Architecture"above to view other photos of Fatimid and Mamluk Architecture)
Imam Ali Reza Mosque, Iran
I S L A M I C - A R C H
A Photo Collection of Notable Islamic Architectures
A Photo Collection of Notable Islamic Architectures
The Mezquita, Spain
King Hassan II Mosque, Morocco
consisted of simple buildings with extensive decorations, was transformed by the Ottomans through a dynamic architectural vocabulary of vaults, domes, semi domes and columns. The mosque was transformed from being a cramped and dark chamber with arabesque-covered walls into a sanctuary of esthetic and technical balance, refined elegance and a hint of heavenly transcendence.
(Click the thumbnail "Ottoman Architecture" above to view other photos of Ottoman Turkish Architecture)
(Click the thumbnail "Ottoman Architecture" above to view other photos of Ottoman Turkish Architecture)
Taj Mahal
Suleiman Mosque, Turkey
The Dome of Suleiman Mosque
I S L A M I C - A R C H
A Photo Collection of Notable Islamic Architectures
A Photo Collection of Notable Islamic Architectures
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Mughal Architecture
Sino-Islamic Architecture
Contemporary Architecture
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THE BASIS OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic Culture. The building show the wealth of the person that lives in it. The principal Islamic architectural types includes among others: the Mosque, the Tomb, the Palace and the Fort. From here, the vocabulary of Islamic architecture is derived and used for buildings of lesser importance such as public bath, fountains and domestic architecture.
Foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic Culture. The building show the wealth of the person that lives in it. The principal Islamic architectural types includes among others: the Mosque, the Tomb, the Palace and the Fort. From here, the vocabulary of Islamic architecture is derived and used for buildings of lesser importance such as public bath, fountains and domestic architecture.
Isabey Mosque, Persian Style