Islamic Architectural Heritage: Key Elements and Eras

Islamic Architectural Elements

• Minbar: Small ladder to raise the prayer to a higher altitude, facing the Qibla.
• Minaret: Tower used to call the Muslim community to prayer.
• Mihrab: A semicircular niche in the Qibla wall (post-Muhammad) oriented toward Mecca.
• Maqsura: A protected space for Caliphs and Emirs in front of the Mihrab.
• Ablutions Area: Ritual washing as part of prayer preparation (Haram, Ziyada, Sahn, Sabil).
• Quincunx: A symbolic layout where Allah is the center and everything moves around Him.
• 5 Pillars of Islam: Faith, Prayer, Zakat, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.

Decoration

Key features include vegetal patterns, calligraphy, geometry, water, light, and muqarnas.

Umayyad Period (7th–8th Century)

• Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem (7th C): Site of Abraham's sacrifice and the Rock of Ascension; features a quincunx layout, 24 arches, and spatial continuity.
• Mosque of Damascus (8th C): Utilizes a double-arched system, reused Roman basilica materials, includes a treasury, and confronts the basilica's original orientation.

Abbasid Period (8th Century)

• Baghdad: Capital city featuring a palatial complex near the Tigris River and a perfect circular floor plan.
• Mosque of Kufa.

Hispanic Umayyad Period (8th–10th Century)

• Mosque of Cordoba: Features semicircular and horseshoe arches, a double-row arch system to prevent deformation, and water canals.
  • Abd-al Rahman I (786): Hypostyle hall with virtually infinite space, 11 naves by 10 aisles, reusing Roman and Visigothic materials.
  • Abd-al Rahman II (840): Added 8 intercolumniations to the south; removed column bases.
  • Abd-al Rahman III (951): Extended the patio and added the Minaret.
  • Al-Hakam II (961): Added 12 naves, 11 new pink and grey columns, the Maqsura, the Mihrab, and the Capilla Villaviciosa.
  • Al-Mansur (988): East expansion with 8 new halls; axiality was lost.
  • Christian Interventions: Primitive Cathedral, Cardenal Cathedral, and Renaissance Cathedral.
• Medina Azahara, Andalusia (10th C): Features wasp-nest capitals, the Hall of Ambassadors, a mosque, palace complex, labyrinthine gardens, pools, and marble floors.

Taifas Period (11th Century)

• Key Sites: Alcazaba of Almeria, Alcazaba of Malaga, Palace of Aljaferia (Zaragoza), and the Baths of El Bañuelo (Granada) featuring Frigidarium, Tepidarium, and Caldarium.
• Mosque of Bab-al-Mardum, Toledo (999): Features crossing arches, a 9-sector floor plan, 9 different vaults, brick construction, and Visigothic capitals.

Almohad Period (12th Century)

• Mosque of Sevilla: The largest Almohad mosque, featuring 17 naves, a central axis, extended lateral naves, and a transversal nave with 5 domes.
• Minaret of La Giralda: Composed of two volumes with an interior volume and a pavilion on top.
• Alcazar of Sevilla: Includes the Patio del Yeso and Mudejar arches.
• Albarran Towers & Barbican Walls: Includes the Gold Tower (13th C), a 12-sided fortress protecting the port and water system.
• Santa Maria la Blanca, Toledo: 5 naves, pointed horseshoe arches, octagonal pillars, brick construction, and an irregular quadrilateral floor plan.
• Other Sites: Alcazaba of Badajoz and Alcazaba of Caceres.