Andalusian Islamic Architecture: Key Monuments

Islamic Architecture in Al-Andalus: Palaces and Religious Structures

Palace Architecture: The Alhambra in Granada

In the Islamic world, palaces were often situated at the urban periphery, while the mosque served as a central communal space. Residential buildings typically featured simple, undecorated exteriors with few openings to the outside.

In Muslim Andalusian palaces, courtyards held great importance. They often featured fountains or pools from which channels flowed, symbolizing the rivers of paradise.

The structure of an Islamic palace generally consisted of:

• The Citadel (Mechouar): The public area.
• Rooms Reserved for Important Ceremonies: Spaces for official functions.
• The Harem: Private residential quarters.

Among other significant palaces, the Alhambra stands out, alongside the Palace of Medina Azahara and the Aljafería Palace.

Islamic Art: Notable Works

The Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba

Today, this historic structure in Córdoba is a Christian church. Built with brick and ashlar stone, its architect remains unknown. It exemplifies the Caliphate Islamic art style.

Originally a prayer room for believers, the Mezquita-Cathedral consists of 514 columns resting on pedestals. Their shafts are smooth or feature vertical or spiral grooves. The capitals are intricately carved.

As the columns lacked the necessary height and lightness, they were placed on pedestals to achieve the desired elevation. On the upper level, pillars are located. The superposition of arches, inspired by Roman aqueducts, achieves a height of 8.60 meters. The lower arches serve as reinforcement, and the double archways create a dynamic feel, characterized by the bichromy of red and white voussoirs.

The Mihrab of the Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba

Formal Analysis: This sacred niche, designed for prayer and the recitation of the Quran, is octagonal. Its facade features a large central horseshoe arch. Two columns, attached to either side of the arch's jambs, support the arch. There are two large panels of white marble.

The Caliphate arch is formed by long voussoirs decorated with stylized plant motifs (atauriques) and framed by an archivolt. The background of the atauriques was painted red. The spandrels are made of marble and covered with floral carvings.

On the second level, one can admire a succession of lobed arches supported by slender columns, featuring alternating plasterwork decoration on their voussoirs.

The Giralda, Seville

This religious building in Seville, dating from the 12th century, is constructed of brick. Its architect is unknown, and it is an example of Taifa Islamic art.

Formal Analysis: The Giralda follows the model of the minaret of the Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba and is notable for being the highest minaret built in Muslim Spain. It is a square tower, and its interior is traversed by a central pillar around which a ramp ascends, allowing the muezzin to reach the top.

The lower floors have smooth, undecorated walls with open voids in the form of horseshoe and lobed arches. The upper floors are divided into three sections: a central double overlapping window within arches, and lateral spaces with panel decoration.

The top, however, consists of a platform composed of 10 decorated arches and a bell tower, which was added by the architect Hernán Ruiz in the 16th century.