Islamic Architecture in Spain: Design and Elements

Islamic Architecture in Spain

Islamic architecture in Spain is characterized by its ability to assimilate and reinterpret artistic elements taken from different cultures and fuse them with its own roots to create new forms. The Arab tribes inhabiting the Arabian Peninsula before the arrival of Islam were nomadic and had developed very little architecture. Muslim buildings were inspired by existing models in conquered territories. The scarcity of stone led to the refinement of ceramic items such as brick and tile, as well as the use of wood and plaster. The poverty of these materials is mostly masked inside buildings with decorative coatings. The climate caused the architecture to tip inward, looking for cool and comfortable spaces. Columns and pillars were used; originally Roman arches were modified to be pointed, or more commonly, the half-point, the horseshoe, the lobed, the mixtilinear, and intersecting arches were employed. Decks used carved wooden paneling with vaults and domes based on Roman models.

Building Components

Materials

• Bricks: Used extensively due to the scarcity of stone.
• Walls: Thick and solid, rarely with exterior openings or decoration. Exterior spaces are clearly separated from the interior.

Supports and Arches

• Brackets: Were the main means of support in the mosque, often copied from older structures. The pillar itself was not an Islamic innovation.
• Arches: Most supports were surmounted by semicircular or pointed arches. Other common types included the horseshoe, lobed, mixtilinear, and intersecting arches.

Roofing

Roofing consisted of thatched roofs and wooden okabis (likely referring to wooden structures or ceilings).

Decoration

Decoration takes a leading role in Islamic art because it occupies the entire surface of the decorated object, whether it is a ceramic wall or carpet. The most used materials for architectural decoration were plaster, wood, stone, and glazed ceramics.

Religious Architecture: The Mosque

The mosque is typically a square house where rows of followers are placed against the wall facing the Prophet's direction for prayer, forming the haram (prayer hall). The rest of the structure featured an open patio, an evocation of the Prophet Muhammad's original mosque. Key elements include:

• Mihrab: Opens in the qibla wall; the most important place because it indicated the direction of prayer toward Mecca.
• Minaret: The tower for the call to prayer.
• Nimbus: (Likely referring to decorative elements or specific architectural features surrounding key areas).
• Maqsura: An enclosed space in front of the haram reserved for the Caliph, offering protection.
• Sabil: Public fountain structure.

Palace Architecture

The palace is another landmark of this architecture. Several developments were inserted within it, aiming for hedonism and aesthetic and visual effects through the expression of vegetation and water. The first palace structure was a square building fortified with walls and towers, giving it a fortress-like appearance. The interior is organized into small modules arranged around a central courtyard. Decoration concentrated at the entrance, which also housed the private chapel of the Caliph, the bathrooms, and the courtroom.