Islamic architecture and art

[TheMagnificent]

The term Islamic architecture is used to refer to the architecture of buildings that have a relationship with Islam or that emanate from the Islamic culture. It concerns both buildings with a religious function as a worldly function.
The mosque, the fortress, the palace and the tomb are some examples of structures that are common in Islamic architecture.
Since the beginning of Islam in the 7th century, Islam has spread throughout the world. The core of the Islamic civilization is the Middle East, but the area where Islam is the predominant religion, extends from Morocco in the west to China and Indonesia in the east.
Islamic architecture has combined elements in all these parts of the world. Traditional influences on Islamic architecture are the cultures of ancient Greece, the Byzantine Empire and its early Christian architecture, the Persian Empire with Zoroastrianism and the cultures of India and China. In turn, Islamic architecture had an influenced in these areas, for example the influence of Moorish architecture in Spain and Sicily.

Some concepts in Islamic architecture are as follows: Bazaar, Caravanserai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravanserai), Dar al-Shifa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dar_al-Shifa), Hamam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_bath), Howz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howz), Hussainia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussainia), Iwan, Kasbah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasbah), Khanegah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanqah), Ksar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ksar), Külliye (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BClliye), Madrasa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrasa), Medina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina_quarter), Mihrab (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihrab), Minaret (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minaret), Minbar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minbar), Mosque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque), Muqarnas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muqarnas), Qibla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qibla), Ribat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribat), Sahn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahn), Türbe, Windcatcher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windcatcher).

Islamic art is art that is made mostly by Muslims and/or that has Islamic themes. Examples of Islamic art can be found in various art forms such as sculpture, painting, architecture, calligraphy and textile art. Familiar examples are mosaics and murals.

Some examples of Islamic architecture and art:

Si-o-se Pol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Si-yo-se-pol) (Bridge of 33 Arches), a nice example of Safavid bridge design in Isfahan, Iran
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Si-o-se-Pol.jpg

Masjid Qubbat As-Sakhrah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock) (Dome of the Rock), Jerusalem
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Dome_of_the_Rock_west.jpg

Dome of the Rock, interior
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3118/3891206402_be4dbe6939_o.jpg

Dome of the Rock, interior
http://www.primeau-canada.com/pal/haram-135m.jpg

Dome of the Rock, interior
http://i49.tinypic.com/o0wck6.jpg

Registan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registan), a public square at heart of the ancient city of Samarkand of the Timurid dynasty, now in Uzbekistan, with its three madrasas (from left to right: Ulugh Beg Madrasa, Tilya-Kori Madrasa and Sher-Dor Madrasa)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/RegistanSquare_Samarkand.jpg

Tiger on the Sher-Dor Madrasa iwan
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Lion%28or_tiger%29_on_the_Sher-dor_madrassa.JPG

Sher-Dor Madrasa
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Sher-Dor_Madrasah%2C_Registan_Sq%2C_Samarkand.jpg

Tilya-Kori Madrasa, interior
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4006/4379601096_a106f454e1_b.jpg

Tilya-Kori Madrasa, interior
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4005/4379603606_7c7b67d66d_b.jpg

Tilya-Kori Madrasa
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4139/4859444073_dbdf216c69_b.jpg

Taj Mahal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal) (Crown of Palaces), the white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, that was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Taj_Mahal_2012.jpg

Taj Mahal complex, walkways beside reflecting pool
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Taj_Mahal_5.jpg

Taj Mahal complex, interior of the mosque
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Taj_Mahal_Mosque_Interior_Hall.jpg

Taj Mahal, calligraphy on the walls
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Taj_Mahal_Calligraphy_Example.jpg

[TheMagnificent]

Alhambra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra), a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain, that was constructed during the mid 10th century by the Umaid Arabic ruler Badis ben Habus of the Kingdom of Granada in Al-Andalus
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Alhambra_Granada_desde_Albaicin.jpg

Alhambra, the Court of the Lions
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/80525560_0eb2c1d54a_o.jpg

Alhambra, interior
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5147/5575499586_17572b1b54_b.jpg

Alhambra, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2382/2540393095_49433d96ba_b.jpg

Alhambra, interior
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/94/261759547_428a7cca1f_o.jpg

Alhambra, interior
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4147/5046677984_9c116dfee5_b.jpg

Alhambra, fountains in one of the gardens
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Alhambra_Generalife_fountains.jpg

Blagaj Tekke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrelo_Bune#Blagaj_Tekke), a Sufi monastery (built around 1520) that stands by the source of the Buna river, not far from the centre of Blagaj, Mostar municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Vrelo_Bune_i_tekija.jpg

Blagaj Tekke
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/7980373448_2543dd1cf3_b.jpg

Divriği Ulu Camii ve Darüşşifası (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divri%C4%9Fi_Great_Mosque) (Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital), mosque and medical complex built in 1228-1229 in the small eastern Anatolian mountain town of Divriği (now in Sivas Province in Turkey), on the order of Ahmet Shah, ruler of the Mengüçlü Beylik
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3635/3459108431_f7302c6fba_b.jpg

Divriği Great Mosque, interior
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3624/3457525430_c7d027c0c5_b.jpg

Divriği Great Mosque, portal of the Darüşşifa
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3580/3456653387_cdfdefd468_b.jpg

Selimiye Camii (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selimiye_Mosque) (Selimiye Mosque), an Ottoman mosque in the city of Edirne, Turkey, that was commissioned by Sultan Selim II and was built by architect Sinan between 1569 and 1575
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6221/6316461878_4e2af0bced_b.jpg

Selimiye Mosque, interior
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6156/6265293551_f41f8e3038_b.jpg

Selimiye Mosque, interior
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8068445942_7209a5c522_b.jpg

[TheMagnificent]

I will post more examples of Islamic architecture and art later on. Everyone can contribute to this thread, but please refrain from trolling.

[Sultan Suleiman]

An awesome thread.

I love the Iranic architecture, I just wish that there were more building built in that fashion rather than in neo-Byzantine/Ottoman architecture which is just booooooooooooooring.

[Onur]

The central Asian, early Seljuk Anatolian and northern Indian Turkic islamic architecture was inspired from Iranian style. You can see that the mosques and all other buildings in Samarkand, today`s Uzbekistan and Pakistani/Indian reflects same style.

I would like to ask you a question about which christian country later adopted this central Asian and northern Indian Turkic islamic architecture afterwards. Take a look at these pictures;

Seljuk era, Turkey;
http://www.hojevouassim.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/pelo_mundo_01.jpg

Moghul/Babur era, India;
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIROUzgxmDY/TzWEBa74UyI/AAAAAAAAEjo/x00O9qouy6U/s1600/Jama%20Masjid,%20Pilibhit,%20Uttar%20Pradesh.jpg

Timur era, Uzbekistan;
http://www.faradventurestravel.com/Uzbekistan/Shakhrisabz.bmp


Now tell me which christian country adopted this style. It should be easy to answer :)

[Partizan]

The central Asian, early Seljuk Anatolian and northern Indian Turkic islamic architecture was inspired from Iranian style. You can see that the mosques and all other buildings in Samarkand, today`s Uzbekistan and Pakistani/Indian reflects same style.

I would like to ask you a question about which christian country later adopted this central Asian and northern Indian Turkic islamic architecture afterwards. Take a look at these pictures;

Seljuk era, Turkey;
http://www.hojevouassim.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/pelo_mundo_01.jpg

Moghul/Babur era, India;
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIROUzgxmDY/TzWEBa74UyI/AAAAAAAAEjo/x00O9qouy6U/s1600/Jama%20Masjid,%20Pilibhit,%20Uttar%20Pradesh.jpg

Timur era, Uzbekistan;
http://www.faradventurestravel.com/Uzbekistan/Shakhrisabz.bmp


Now tell me which christian country adopted this style. It should be easy to answer :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Russia-Moscow-Saint_Basil's_Cathedral-2.jpg

?

[TheMagnificent]

Yes, Russian architecture seems to have some similar domes.

[TheMagnificent]

Masjed-e Imam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imam_Mosque_Isfahan) (Imam Mosque), formerly known as Shah Mosque, built during the Safavid period in Isfahan, Iran
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4019/4565630831_1005b9944d_b.jpg

Naqsh-e Jahan Square
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Naghshe_Jahan_Square_Isfahan_modified.jpg

Imam Mosque
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1134/1466968412_9a730441fc_b.jpg

Imam Mosque
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/ca/Imamsquare2.JPG

Imam Mosque, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2133/1680353422_d138ea19ab_b.jpg

Imam Mosque, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2296/1680310878_15649fb979_b.jpg

Imam Mosque, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2220/1680217514_e1f5ce7c6a_b.jpg

Imam Mosque, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2282/1679048559_027468c6e6_b.jpg

Imam Mosque, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2001/1679528907_b58a0d4d5c_b.jpg

Imam Mosque, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2119/1680047894_226e13bc90_b.jpg

Imam Mosque
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ed/Imamsquare3.JPG

Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Lotf_Allah_Mosque), also on Naqsh-e Jahan Square
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2372/2185111357_305c77d925_b.jpg

Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3052/2478519851_3d293e2095_b.jpg

Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, interior
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2215/2185923088_7f18d1e78d_b.jpg

Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, interior
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3475/3292864948_7f35a8938f_b.jpg

[Partizan]

Stop those trolling/off-topic posts!

[TheMagnificent]

Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque-Madrassa_of_Sultan_Hassan), a massive Mamluk era mosque and madrasa located near the Citadel in Cairo, Egypt
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2164/2076141070_eb362aeac6_b.jpg

Sultan Hassan Mosque
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5206/5277834971_8fd6aca716_b.jpg

Sultan Hassan Mosque
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2751/4380455314_90ebb1f57b_o.jpg

Sultan Hassan Mosque, interior
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3130/2583258433_4938efa2f4_b.jpg

Sultan Hassan Mosque, interior
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3186/2584106774_fd4585ed2e_b.jpg

Aqmar Mosque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqmar_Mosque), a Fatimid era mosque in Cairo, Egypt
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4026/4671810863_17a529816a_b.jpg

Aqmar Mosque
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8299739195_24651a77d2_b.jpg

Aqmar Mosque
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4043/4710062733_029bd38201_b.jpg

Aqmar Mosque, interior
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5162/5304376326_2c6c68b82f_b.jpg

Al-Muizz Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muizz_Street) in Cairo, Egypt, with some magnificent medieval Islamic architecture
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5169/5304889192_eb4ab7f8ba_b.jpg

Al-Muizz Street, Sultan Barquq Mosque and Madrasa
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5281/5304245323_13fb2aa44a_b.jpg

Sultan Barquq Mosque and Madrasa
http://i45.tinypic.com/2ps4o4z.jpg

Sultan Barquq Mosque and Madrasa, interior
http://i50.tinypic.com/33lo5tg.jpg

Sultan Barquq Mosque and Madrasa, interior
http://i50.tinypic.com/140i3v6.jpg

Sultan Barquq Mosque and Madrasa, interior
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4011/4492290139_a0b1a6a396_b.jpg

[Siberian Cold Breeze]

http://i.imgur.com/YtkDZ.jpg

Ne kadar sade ve aynı zamanda renkli ,sevimli bir cami .İlk kez görüyorum bu kadar iç acıcı cami dekoru.Türkmen zevki.:)
Abartı yok ,kasvet yok ,ferah ,doğal..

[Siberian Cold Breeze]

1228–29 Divrik Ulacami Mosque built by Mengücek Municipality , Mengücekli Beg Ahmed Şah to architech named Mugis oğlu Hürrem Şah

Two headed eagle amblem is used by Selcuks on a mosque portal (religious building ).
It is interesting to find amblems on a mosque ,very unique
Two headed Eagle was sign of Selcuk Beg/Emperor Alaaddin Keykubad and falcon ,sign of Ahmet Şah's on west postal, also Turkic Tree Of Life Ulukayın symbol inside.

http://i.imgur.com/xZo5Y.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RJ31i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/s5rwS.jpg

[Catrau]

This is very nice.
Would you please be so kind to show me some kind of Islamic architecture in Portugal. People say that in Portugal there is a LOT of islamic tradition but unfortunately I can't see the slightest example of architecture, culture, folk, tradition, language, religion... etc. Anything with that fabulous islamic tradition in our landscape is welcome. I've been looking at it for years and still nothing... Thank you very much.

:D

[TheMagnificent]

A mural in the Chehel Sotoun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chehel_Sotoun) (Forty Columns) pavilion in Isfahan, Iran, depicting the Battle of Chaldiran (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chaldiran) (1514) between the Ottomans and Safavids
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2022/2307342976_cf0e4ffd53_o.jpg

[TheMagnificent]

This is very nice.
Would you please be so kind to show me some kind of Islamic architecture in Portugal. People say that in Portugal there is a LOT of islamic tradition but unfortunately I can't see the slightest example of architecture, culture, folk, tradition, language, religion... etc. Anything with that fabulous islamic tradition in our landscape is welcome. I've been looking at it for years and still nothing... Thank you very much.

:D

I did a quick research, but I wasn't able to find that much, because it seems that the Portuguese erased almost all traces of their Moorish history.


Moorish period

The invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in the year 711 by Moors from the Maghreb put an end to Visigoth rule in Hispania, called Al-Andalus by the newcomers. Moorish presence strongly influenced art and architecture in Portuguese territory, especially in Southern Portugal, where the Reconquista was only finished in 1249. However, in contrast to neighbouring Spain, few Islamic buildings in Portugal have survived intact to this day. Traditional houses in many cities and villages in Portugal have simple, white façades that lend the ensemble of streets and neighbourhoods a distinct Islamic look, similar to that of villages in Northern Africa. Many villages and city neighbourhoods have retained the street layout from Islamic times, like the Alfama in Lisbon. Moorish buildings were often constructed with the rammed earth (taipa) and adobe techniques, followed by whitewashing.

Castles

The Moors built strong castles and fortifications in many cities but, although many Portuguese mediaeval castles originated in the Islamic period, most of them have been extensively remodelled after the Christian reconquest. One of the best-preserved is Silves Castle, located in Silves, the ancient capital of the Al-Garb, today's Algarve. Built between the 8th and 13th centuries, Silves Castle has preserved its walls and square-shaped towers from the Moorish period, as well as 11th-century cisterns - water reservoirs used in case of a siege. The old Moorish centre of the city - the Almedina - was defended by a wall and several fortified towers and gates, parts of which are still preserved.
Another notable Islamic castle in the Algarve is Paderne Castle, whose ruined walls evidence the taipa building technique used in its construction. The Sintra Moorish Castle, near Lisbon, has also preserved rests of walls and a cistern from Moorish times. Part of the Moorish city walls have been preserved in Lisbon (the so-called Cerca Velha) and Évora. Moorish city gates with a characteristic horseshoe-arched profile can be found in Faro and Elvas.

Mosques

Many mosques were built all over Portuguese territory during Muslim domination, but virtually all of these have been turned into churches and cathedrals, and Islamic features cannot be identified anymore. Thus, the Cathedrals of Lisbon, Silves and Faro, for instance, are probably built over the remains of the great mosques after the Reconquista.
The only exception to this rule is the Main Church (Matriz) of Mértola, in the Alentejo region. The Mértola Mosque was built in the second half of the 12th century and, even though it has suffered several modifications, it is still the best-preserved mediaeval mosque in Portugal. Inside the church has an approximate square-shaped floorplan with 4 aisles with a total of 12 columns that support a 16th-century Manueline rib vaulting. Even though the roof has been modified and some aisles have been suppressed in the 16th century, the labyrinthic interior with its "forest" of pillars clearly relates to other contemporary mosques in Spain and Maghreb. The inner wall still has a mihrab, a decorated niche that indicates the direction of Mecca. In addition the church has three horseshoe arches with an alfiz, a typical Islamic decorative feature.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Portugal#Moorish_period

Here you have a list of some Portuguese words of Arabic origin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Portuguese_words_of_Arabic_origin

The name of the Algarve region for instance comes from the Arabic Al-Gharb (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Garb_Al-Andalus), which means ''The West''.

[TheMagnificent]

A nice BBC documentary on the influence of the Islamic world on Europe in which architecture and art are also discussed:

x0IaCK-7z5o


An Islamic History of Europe

In this 90-minute documentary, Rageh Omaar uncovers the hidden story of Europe’s Islamic past and looks back to a golden age when European civilization was enriched by Islamic learning.
Rageh travels across medieval Muslim Europe to reveal the vibrant civilization that Muslims brought to the West.
This evocative film brings to life a time when emirs and caliphs dominated Spain and Sicily and Islamic scholarship swept into the major cities of Europe.
His journey reveals the debt owed to Islam for its vital contribution to the European Renaissance.

[TheMagnificent]

The Great Mosque of Xi'an (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Xi'an) is the oldest mosque of China, founded in 742. The mosque is still used by Chinese Muslims, which are mainly the Hui people (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hui_people).
The mosque is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style, except for some Arabic lettering and decorations.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4065/4485767674_807c720c1d_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3080/2851316291_1ebb0a33d1_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3282/2851315745_d744d8f0c3_b.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4027/4628995996_e5a9fe7328_b.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4038/4628392827_15bfac2d81_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/7232428958_268463d182_b.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4151/4998700089_ab3a8d2294_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2695/4172941452_a2b59eed94_b.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4151/5064407601_9d5ecc1c8d_b.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4087/4998714121_7749489368_b.jpg

More pictures over here:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=great%20mosque%20of%20xi'an

Hui Muslim community from China
fgGQwyciZFI

[dado]

king Hassan II mosque MORROCO

http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/theworldeffect/theworldeffect1005/theworldeffect100500018/6951980-king-hassan-mosque-in-morocco.jpg

http://traveltweaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Casablanca-King-Hassan-II-Mosque-Morocco.jpg

http://www.netuse.co.uk/clients/salawaat/images/casablanca16.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QO-d9qxVihg/TN0fxRcx_II/AAAAAAAAAEE/vsrD27guTJg/s1600/Hassan+II+Interior.JPG

http://0.tqn.com/d/middleeast/1/0/y/1/-/-/0903-hassanIImosque1.jpg

http://media01.bigblackbag.net/16855/portfolio_media/lwsm__mg_9384_2277.jpg

[dado]

my country realy doesnt have something to compete with when it comes to religious buildings :(

[Energia]

The Minaret of Jam, in Afghanistan, is the second-tallest brick minaret in the world; the 65 metre high minaret, surrounded by mountains that reach up to 2400 meters, is built entirely of baked-bricks. It is famous for its intricate brick, stucco and glazed tile decoration, which consists of alternating bands of kufic and nashki calligraphy, geometric patterns, and verses from the Qur'an. The circular minaret rests on an octagonal base; it had 2 wooden balconies and was topped by a lantern. It is thought to have been a direct inspiration for the Qut'b Minar in Delhi.

http://www.akademifantasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/minaret-of-jam-afghanistan-01.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3956/jam117pd.jpg

http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/watanafghanistan/1316754080/1/tumblr_laavpwA5nt1qcmed9

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcro034fbD1qfnxd7o1_1280.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7682/jam94fw.jpg

Unfortunately none really seem to care about its precarious state.

[TheMagnificent]

my country realy doesnt have something to compete with when it comes to religious buildings :(

I still think that the smaller, but yet beautiful, mosques fit very well in the relatively not so populous Bosnia and its beautiful green landscape. :)

Careva Džamija (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor%27s_Mosque) (Emperor's Mosque), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7203006396_6f055e2fb3_b.jpg

Emperor's Mosque
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8004389713_e172c9c87a_b.jpg

Ali Pasha Mosque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Pasha's_Mosque), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2251/2201932889_c6e0b4555a_b.jpg

Ali Pasha Mosque
http://karim74.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/ali-pasha-mosque-in-sarajevo-bosnia-and-hercegowina.jpg

Gazi Husrev-begova Džamija (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazi_Husrev-beg_Mosque) (Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4006/4377785543_164242e074_b.jpg

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3521/3885200463_3e91131de3_b.jpg

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/231/513735413_f6fec085b2_z.jpg?zz=1

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2237/2187541818_687f337aab_b.jpg

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Sarajevo_Gazi_Husrev_Beg_Moschee_5.JPG

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/214/513699168_738e0b2759_z.jpg?zz=1

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, interior
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/7978251519_84ca759e80_b.jpg

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, interior
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/7978232010_4f3b19265c_b.jpg

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, interior
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7351707326_77d535a4e4_b.jpg

Besides, I think for example that Mostar is a city that has no equivalent in the Islamic world, with its architecture peculiar to the Bosnian landscape and culture. In my second post in this thread I also gave the example of Blagaj Tekke (http://theapricity.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1244598&postcount=2), which is also a nice structure that is in harmony with its surroundings.

[Sultan Suleiman]

@Energia

Amazes me that it survived the Taliban savages...

[Sultan Suleiman]

my country realy doesnt have something to compete with when it comes to religious buildings :(

Well if you believe in Sarajevo mythology there is a story that, before the sack of Sarajevo there were plans for a mosque which would rival the Blue Mosque of Turkey :thumb001:

I wonder how Sarajevo would have looked if the Hungarians were stopped at battle of Sava.

[Damião de Góis]

Here is the only thing that survived from the islamic period. The Mértola Mosque (now a church):

http://www.montedospinheirinhos.com/diary/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/M%C3%A9rtola%20Igreja%20Matriz1.jpg

[Riki]

TheMagnificent-The Moors built strong castles and fortifications in many cities but, although many Portuguese mediaeval castles originated in the Islamic period, most of them have been extensively remodelled after the Christian reconquest. One of the best-preserved is Silves Castle, located in Silves, the ancient capital of the Al-Garb, today's Algarve. Built between the 8th and 13th centuries,


"A primitiva ocupação humana da colina de Silves remonta à pré-história, acreditando-se que, no primeiro milênio a.C., navegadores Fenícios tenham penetrado no rio Arade, navegável até fins da Idade Média, e que, posteriormente, tenha conhecido a presença Romana, que aqui explorou uma jazida de cobre, conforme os testemunhos arqueológicos. Alguns autores pretendem que teriam sido estes os responsáveis por uma primeira fortificação, entre os séculos IV e V, também atribuída aos Visigodos que se lhes sucederam."


Basically it states that according to the arqueological finds the first stage of the fortification of the "Castle"was Roman and then Visigoth.
I wouldn't particularly call It Moorish.

[dado]

I still think that the smaller, but yet beautiful, mosques fit very well in the relatively not so populous Bosnia and its beautiful green landscape. :)

Careva Džamija (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor%27s_Mosque) (Emperor's Mosque), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
[IG]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7203006396_6f055e2fb3_b.jpg[/IMG]

Emperor's Mosque
[IG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8004389713_e172c9c87a_b.jpg[/IMG]

Ali Pasha Mosque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Pasha's_Mosque), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
[IG]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2251/2201932889_c6e0b4555a_b.jpg[/IMG]
Ali Pasha Mosque
[IG]http://karim74.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/ali-pasha-mosque-in-sarajevo-bosnia-and-hercegowina.jpg[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-begova Džamija (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazi_Husrev-beg_Mosque) (Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
[IG]http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4006/4377785543_164242e074_b.jpg[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
[IG]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3521/3885200463_3e91131de3_b.jpg[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
[MG]http://farm1.staticflickr.com/231/513735413_f6fec085b2_z.jpg?zz=1[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
[MG]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2237/2187541818_687f337aab_b.jpg[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
[IG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Sarajevo_Gazi_Husrev_Beg_Moschee_5.JPG[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
[IG]http://farm1.staticflickr.com/214/513699168_738e0b2759_z.jpg?zz=1[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, interior
[I MG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/7978251519_84ca759e80_b.jpg[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, interior
[IM G]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/7978232010_4f3b19265c_b.jpg[/IMG]

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, interior
[IM]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7351707326_77d535a4e4_b.jpg[/IMG]

Besides, I think for example that Mostar is a city that has no equivalent in the Islamic world, with its architecture peculiar to the Bosnian landscape and culture. In my second post in this thread I also gave the example of Blagaj Tekke (http://theapricity.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1244598&postcount=2), which is also a nice structure that is in harmony with its surroundings.
sure...but we have too many average mosques...it is time we build something monumental...we need to show our christian neighbors beauty of islamic culture,and architecture is just one of the ways to do it ..

[TheMagnificent]

Here is the only thing that survived from the islamic period. The Mértola Mosque (now a church):

Also Castelo dos Mouros (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_the_Moors) (Castle of the Moors) in Sintra:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Castle_of_the_Moors_-_Sintra.JPG

[Catrau]

I did a quick research, but I wasn't able to find that much, because it seems that the Portuguese erased almost all traces of their Moorish history.



Here you have a list of some Portuguese words of Arabic origin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Portuguese_words_of_Arabic_origin

The name of the Algarve region for instance comes from the Arabic Al-Gharb (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Garb_Al-Andalus), which means ''The West''.

Indeed, a few Christian castles in the southern most third of the country have been in the past a moorish construction but before that they have been something else.
Virtually there isn't any visible heritage except the Ribat al Rihanna in the Algarve-Alentejo border discovered last year. I don't know if they have been erased, I suspect that the never existed because we have some 9000 heritage sites of the roman period and many dozens from the germanic one. In my opinion, we do not have them because nothing especial has been built. Most of nowadays Portuguese lands are far away from the moorish power irradiation spot in southern Iberia, also because the invaders of nowadays Portugal weren't the mathematicians and philosophers of the Levant and Arabia, they were warrior shepherds from the Atlas. they weren't the powerful civilization people often talk about, maybe they didn't brought novel technology. That's why there weren't leftovers, because there was nothing remarkable. No offense, it's just the truth. There weren’t left bridges, roads, buildings that may perpetuate that occupation, in addition there aren’t, as I said before, folk, language, culture, architecture, religion.
You are right about the toponymic Algarve (Al Garb) that was also known as Garb al Andaluz (west Andalusia).
The words are about 500 in a total of over 600000 Portuguese words (according to Porto Editora), that's not much and if you think that of those 500, about 350 are of Toponymic, most of it consisting of Arabized Celtic and Latin names, the leftover is of some 150 words. But I can tell you that the English language have about 120 words of Arabic origin (most of them are the ones we also use such as: alcool, almirante adobo, alquimia, alcova, alambique, algebra, alcaide, arsenal, café, etc.) and moors have never been there. Some of these words are massively used but most aren't used at all anymore. So, I wonder if that contribution is really worth the importance sometimes it is given.
Please understand that it's not that I don't like the moorish art, for example the Spanish Mudéjar (churches build by moor paid workers with moorish building techinics), I've went to Aragón just to see it, but we don't have that, and never had. Of course my post is mostly a political stand for some people that may read this very nice thread and often insists in that Moorish ancestry.

[TheMagnificent]

Azm Palace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azm_Palace) in Damascus, Syria, built in 1750 as a residence for the Ottoman governor of Damascus, As'ad Pasha al-Azm
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6973125133_9dc02ed455_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2663/3830515386_4914e7baed_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5062/5741646336_e309118c49_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5248/5380884639_53b93172f5_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5285/5381488490_3339c91ebe_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5204/5380885129_5d6e1c7dbe_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus, interior
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6827012996_ac87eca1b5_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus, interior
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6973126587_e41b9e722c_b.jpg

Azm Palace in Damascus
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4034/4596404434_d96bbf88af_b.jpg

Khan As'ad Pasha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_As'ad_Pasha), the largest khan in the Old City of Damascus, Syria, also named after As'ad Pasha al-Azm
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2198/2255340538_196a0906a6_b.jpg

Khan As'ad Pasha
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4054/5081686742_4bde4791c0_b.jpg

Khan As'ad Pasha
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4132/5081688460_7818d69cdc_b.jpg

Khan As'ad Pasha
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3274/2676237999_26563af9ab_b.jpg

Khan As'ad Pasha
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2493/4150147526_38fcb8bb76_b.jpg

[Kazimiera]

Imam Reza mosque - Mashhad, Iran

http://online.sfsu.edu/mroozbeh/Photos/ph-imamreza4.gif

[dado]

the most unique mosque in the world...so simple but still so admiration worthy....because it's made of mud and rains wash much of its facade,it's under constant construction...

djenne moque in Mali

http://www.photoburst.net/travel-photography/2011/10/mud-mosque-djenne-mali-canon-50d-18-55m-pascal-mannaerts/mud-mosque-djenne-mali-canon-50d-18-55m-pascal-mannaerts.jpg

http://www.vacationhomes.net/blog/pub/Great-Mosque-of-Djenne,-Mali.jpg

http://www.bestravelplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/a-unique-beautiful-mosque-of-djenne.jpg

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/mali/images/great-mosque/resized/djenne-mosque-on-market-day-c-sacredsites.jpg

[Pontios]

Wow these "Turkish" mosques sure do remind me of Byzantine architecture. :lol:

[Kazimiera]

Wow these "Turkish" mosques sure do remind me of Byzantine architecture. :lol:

Since when are Iran, Syria, Israel, India (Taj), Spain, Uzbekistan, Egypt, China, Morocco, Afghanistan and Bosnia in Turkey? :confused:

98% of the mosques in this thread aren't in Turkey.

[Pontios]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Russia-Moscow-Saint_Basil's_Cathedral-2.jpg

?

No. The domes were first taken from the Byzantines by the Turks. Before seeing the domes of Orthodox churches in the Byzantium, the Muslims were unable to make domes on their mosques. Russians are also Orthodox, so they didn't really adopt it from Muslims.

[dado]

some of the most representative samples of islamic architecture can be found in India

Makkah masjid
http://cityrockz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Makkah-Masjid-in-1948.jpg

http://img.posterlounge.de/images/wbig/david-h-wells-hyderabad-chaminar-triumphal-arch-mecca-masjid-186807.jpg

http://www.hyderabadheritagemarathon.com/images/jamamasjid-1.jpg

[Pontios]

Since when are Iran, Syria, Israel, India (Taj), Spain, Uzbekistan, Egypt, China, Morocco, Afghanistan and Bosnia in Turkey? :confused:

98% of the mosques in this thread aren't in Turkey.

I meant specific Turkish ones that are. The ones outside of Turkey are mainly non-Byzantine architecture but I still see some because of the domes which were invented in the Byzantium. Other than that it is mainly Arabic, Islamic, ect.

[dado]

Jamma mosque,New Delhi

http://blog.city-discovery.com/wp-content/uploads/marybeth5.jpg

Agra mosque

http://www.bestourism.com/img/items/big/7179/Agra-in-India_Mosque_9590.jpg

Taj ul mosque Bopal , India

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-coFqqmfRDjs/TeKXywojJ3I/AAAAAAAAFEQ/Q9fR0EjnlPU/s1600/Taj+ul+Mosque%252C+Bhopal%252C+India+by+cool+image s786+%25281%2529.jpg

[dado]

lucknow mosque ,India
http://www.indoislamica.com/images/PR000047.lg.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPL8EzDZq3A/TihKwAFGnqI/AAAAAAAAlwA/aPYtL81SxKc/s1600/Path-Lucknow.jpg

http://photos.igougo.com/photos/journal/pref/Jama_Masjid_prefRes.jpg

[TheMagnificent]

Badshahi Mosque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badshahi_Mosque) in Lahore, Pakistan, commissioned by Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, in 1671 and completed in 1673
http://img.fotocommunity.com/images/Subjects/Architecture/Badshahi-Mosque-lahore-a25721731.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3436/3363781524_b1243b5378_b.jpg

Badshahi Mosque
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3475/3362956591_b00412c062_b.jpg

Badshahi Mosque
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8232243376_a0ca7963d9_b.jpg

Badshahi Mosque
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5310/5600182380_fcafd3f3e1_b.jpg

Badshahi Mosque, interior
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/4878907988_85bd37d742_b.jpg

Badshahi Mosque, interior
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4099/4878299037_83342a99c2_b.jpg

[Siberian Cold Breeze]

Wow these "Turkish" mosques sure do remind me of Byzantine architecture. :lol:

And those domes remind me of yurts ..I am sure your Alexandr brought them from Asia ,circular shapes in architecture doesn't seem very European actually..

[Comte Arnau]

Mudejar style, or how Iberian Muslims reinterpreted Western architectural styles through Islamic influences.


The dominant geometrical character, distinctly Islamic, emerged conspicuously in the accessory crafts using less expensive materials: elaborate tilework, brickwork, wood carving, plaster carving, and ornamental metals. To enliven the planar surfaces of wall and floor, Mudéjar style developed complicated tiling patterns that have never been surpassed in sophistication. Even after Muslims were no longer employed in architecture, many of the elements they had introduced continued to be incorporated into Spanish architecture, thereby giving it a distinctive appearance.

Born in Leon and spread over much of Iberia, it was in Aragon where the level of elaboration reached its summit. Ten Mudejar buildings in Aragon are considered a World Heritage Site nowadays.

A few samples I find striking:

Saint Martin's Tower in Teruel

http://st-listas.20minutos.es/images/2009-01/71955/861386_640px.jpg?1239225206

Church Tower in Utebo

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/43807613.jpg

http://www.aragonmudejar.com/zaragoza/utebo/7ut73.jpg

Saint Mary's Tower in Calatayud

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5270/5654246020_b9a815887f_z.jpg

And some details of the Mosque and other Mudejar remains in Aljaferia Palace, in the capital city, Saragossa.

http://ies.galileogalilei.alcorcon.educa.madrid.org//departamentos_didacticos/materiales_curriculares/historia/antoniopuente/Arte12ISLAMICO/40.Aljaferia.JPG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6NnUroTuzMU/TbiDH531tdI/AAAAAAAAA6A/g0IUjb7ntkA/s1600/013-patio-jardin-aljaferia-patio-sta-isabel.jpg

http://tephotos.s3.amazonaws.com/places/web/palacio-de-la-aljaferia_63fbea044b91445d9e55aa6f1c96f45c84b8c524 .jpg

http://convistasalmundotictac.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/arco_pabellon_derecho-aljaferia.jpg?w=614&h=819

http://www.adevaherranz.es/Arte/ESPANA/MEDIA/ISLAMICO/Art%20Arq%20VIII%20Aljaferia%20mihrab%20Zaragoza.g if

[Pontios]

And those domes remind me of yurts ..I am sure your Alexandr brought them from Asia ,circular shapes in architecture doesn't seem very European actually..

Doesn't seem very European anymore because more than 90% of mosques all over the world have domes. After all, the Byzantines never tried to be like Europeans, they are Catholics and Protestants today, we are Eastern Orthodox.

[Hayalet]

I am sure your Alexandr brought them from Asia
Nah. Looking at the most famous examples, I can honestly see no similarities in architectural stye between ancient Greece and the Eastern Roman Empire.

[TheMagnificent]

Alcázar Palace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1zar_of_Seville), Seville, Spain
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Patio_de_las_doncellas.jpg

Alcázar Palace
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4027/4612285623_f754553757_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace, interior
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3352/4612285627_0a9a4e6feb_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Patio_de_la_Monteria_Palace_Pedro_I_Alcazar_Sevill e_Spain.jpg

Alcázar Palace
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4017/4612285621_9866d1f8a6_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7170595479_85fcfbedca_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7355806868_18f428bc00_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace, interior
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7170624291_017edcff0f_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace, interior
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7355800220_db9b700bf3_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/115/294811348_eb141e31bf_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace, interior
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/117/294809932_c1b1e59c78_b.jpg

Alcázar Palace
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/118/294812220_d81f897ab0_b.jpg

[Catrau]

Does islamic architecture features are applied to civil buldings like peoples houses?

[MfA_]

Does islamic architecture features are applied to civil buldings like peoples houses?

for example toilets shouldnt face to the direction of qibla

[dado]

Halil Rahman mosque ,turkey

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3447/3778585406_75b24c39f4_z.jpg

http://www.tourismturkeysite.com/img/regions-south-east/halilrahman.gif

[RussiaPrussia]

The central Asian, early Seljuk Anatolian and northern Indian Turkic islamic architecture was inspired from Iranian style. You can see that the mosques and all other buildings in Samarkand, today`s Uzbekistan and Pakistani/Indian reflects same style.

I would like to ask you a question about which christian country later adopted this central Asian and northern Indian Turkic islamic architecture afterwards. Take a look at these pictures;

Seljuk era, Turkey;
http://www.hojevouassim.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/pelo_mundo_01.jpg

Moghul/Babur era, India;
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIROUzgxmDY/TzWEBa74UyI/AAAAAAAAEjo/x00O9qouy6U/s1600/Jama%20Masjid,%20Pilibhit,%20Uttar%20Pradesh.jpg

Timur era, Uzbekistan;
http://www.faradventurestravel.com/Uzbekistan/Shakhrisabz.bmp


Now tell me which christian country adopted this style. It should be easy to answer :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/RedSquare_SaintBasile_%28pixinn.net%29.jpg

how can you compare these mosques with with russias national pride, they dont look anything like that. Russian church is using onion like towers the mosques poportions are like half of a football and the indian one has giant balls. The mosques havent even towers while russian cathedral has many towers one higher than the other in a random order while the mosques each is placed on the same order.

here is also russian church using the onion style back in 1165
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Vladimir_Nerl2.JPG

but we stole some other muslim symbols on porpoise, to mock you
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Sobor_Novodev.jpg

there are also completly different russian styles of orthodox churches, these are not the standart its just one of many styles.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Saint_Isaac%27s_Cathedral.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Dubrovitsy_church_of_Sign.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Kolomenskoe_Ascension_Church_and_the_bell_tower_of _the_George_Church.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Stpeter*******cathedraljuly2010.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/%D0%A1%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_% D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80_2.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Cathedral_of_Valaam.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Kalyazin_belfry.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Russian_church_types

[Sultan Suleiman]

...

Can someone translate this pidgin English? :confused: