Key Features of Early Islamic Architecture: Mosques and Palaces

Islamic Architecture: Mosques and Sacred Spaces

Mosque Elements and Orientation

• Praying Room: A sacred space, even if not considered the physical "House of Allah."
• Orientation (Qibla): East orientation towards Mecca for prayer.
• Minbar: The pulpit, the seat of the Imam.
• Minaret: A tower used to call the Muslim community to prayer.
• Mihrab: A semicircular niche indicating the Qibla wall facing Mecca.
• Maqsura: A safe space located in front of the Mihrab, historically reserved for Caliphs and Emirs.
• Ablutions Area: Space designated for ritual cleansing before prayer.

Parts of a Mosque Complex

• Ziyada: The enclosure space.
• Sahn: The central courtyard or patio.
• Sapil: A public fountain.
• Haram: The roofed prayer space.

Early Examples

House of Muhammad in Medina (7th Century)

Constructed of mud, it featured a wider, not deeper plan and a hypostyle space (a forest of columns).

Umayyad Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem, 7th Century)

Built over the site where Abraham reportedly attempted to sacrifice his son Isaac. It shows precedent from Roman Empire architecture. The dome symbolized Muslim superiority over Christians. It was built over the rock of Ascension and was previously a Temple for Solomon.

• Plan: Centralized floor plan with a circular diambulation (ambulatory) form.
• Structure: Octogonal floor plan, 24 arches, a circular and an octogonal portico (emphasizing Allah as the center).
• Design: Features a Quinqunx (like a five-dot die pattern), light wooden structure, two wooden domes (exterior and interior), decorated extensively with mosaics, marble, color tiles, vegetal mosaics, and golden colors.

Umayyad Mosque of Damascus (8th Century)

This structure was transformed from a Roman Basilica, reusing existing materials. It features a double arch system (geminated openings with semicircular arches) and three longitudinal aisles. A dome rests on the central aisle, supported by four pillars. It included a treasury for money and featured shiny, reflective decoration with floral patterns, similar to the Dome of the Rock.

Abbasid Period and Cordoba

Abbasids (Baghdad, 8th Century)

The capital moved from Damascus to Baghdad. The Samarra Palace complex featured a perfectly circular floor plan near the Tigris River. The Kufa Mosque was prominent, featuring many vegetal motifs and four entrances (Kufa Gate, Khorasan, Damascus, Basra).

Abd-Al Rahman I became the first Caliph in Cordoba and constructed a Mosque over a former Visigoth Cathedral.

Mosque of Cordoba (8th–10th Centuries)

Abd-Al Rahman I (786): Created a virtually infinite space with abstract values in the hypostyle hall. Column bases and capitals varied; small columns created a forest of columns. The central hall formed the axis, with 11 intercolumnations of arches perpendicular to the Qibla.

Second Phase (840): Added 8 intercolumnations to the south; column bases were removed.

Third Phase (951): Extended the patio, added generous facades, featured double-plus shape columns on the facade, and built a new minaret.

Al-Hakam II (961): Extended the Haram, added the Capilla Villaviciosa (skylight) in the 15th century, and added the Maqsura and Mihrab, resulting in 12 more naves.

Al-Mansur (988): Eastern expansion added 8 new halls. This expansion caused the original axiality to be lost, and the Sapil (fountain) was aggregated later.