2. ARCHES
• The Muslims mastered the use and design
of the arch more than any other
civilization.
• The mystic meaning derived from the
spherical nature of the universe and the
divine symbolism of the dome from which
the arch is derived.
• Knowledge of geometry and laws of statics
must also have played a leading role in
their choices of various types of arch.
• The arch was first employed for structural
and functional purposes but progressively
it became used for decorative purposes.
Source: muslimheritage.com
ARCHES IN SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE, ABU DHABI
GREAT MOSQUE CORDOBA, SPAIN
3. TYPES OF ARCHES
• HORSESHOE ARCH:
– The horseshoe arch was derived from
the symbolic use of the horseshoe in
earlier ages where it represented a
superstitious emblem for many
societies.
– The use of the horseshoe as a
protector against the evil eye in North
Africa is maintained to the present
day.
• TRANSVERSE ARCH:
– First time used in the palace of
Ukhaidir, Baghdad.
– The use of the transverse arch over
the nave not only provided greater
safety and durability but also gave the
final shape of the nave especially in
terms of height and roof.
HORSESHOE ARCHES IN THE UMAYYAD
MOSQUE, DAMASCUS
ARCADE OF
TRANSVERSE
ARCHES IN MAHDIA
MOSQUE TUNISIA
Source: muslimheritage.com
4. • POINTED ARCH
– The first appearance of the
pointed arch in the Muslim
World was traced to the Al-
Aqsa Mosque. However, the
Ibn Tulun Mosque (Egypt)
remains the first building
where the pointed arch was
used constructively and
systematically.
– The main advantage of the
pointed arch was that it
concentrated the thrust of the
vault on a narrow vertical line
that could be supported by
flying buttresses.
– Additionally, it resolved the
difficulty of achieving level
crowns in the arches of the
vault, allowing the vault to
become suitable for any
ground plan.
AL-AQSA MOSQUE INSPIRED THE CRUSADERS TO IMITATE THE
MUSLIM POINTED ARCH IN EUROPE
RAISED SEMI-CIRCULAR
ARCHES, CORDOBA MOSQUE
GREAT MOSQUE OF KAIRAWAN,
CITY OF KAIRAWAN, TUNISIA
Source: kairouan-cci2009.nat.tn
5. • ARCADES:
– An arcade is a succession of arches, each counter-thrusting the next,
supported by columns, piers, or a covered walkway enclosed by a line of such
arches on one or both sides.
– In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians.
ARCADE IN INNER COURTYARD OF SULTAN AHMED MOSQUE, ISTANBUL
6. MINARETS
• A minaret is a distinctive
architectural feature
of mosques, generally a tall spire
with a conical or onion-shaped
crown, usually either free-
standing or taller than
associated support structure
(mostly the prayer hall).
• In earlier times, from minarets
the call to prayer was
announced.
• Minarets also function as air-
conditioning mechanisms: as
the sun heats the dome, air is
drawn in through open windows
then up and out of the minaret,
thereby providing ventilation.
Source: khanacademy.org
MIMAR SINAN, MINARET,
SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE,
ISTANBUL
MINARET AT THE GREAT
MOSQUE OF SAMARRA,
IRAQ
7. • The basic form of a minaret
includes a base, shaft, and gallery.
– The minarets rest on the best- the
lowest portion of minarets.
– The stairs in a counter-clockwise
fashion circle the shaft, providing
necessary structural support to the
highly elongated shaft.
– The gallery is a balcony which
encircles the upper sections from
which the muezzin may give the
call to prayer.
• In most modern mosques, call for
prayer is called via microphone to
a speaker system on the minaret.
Source: skyscrapercity.com
MINARET OF TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA
GALLERY
SHAFT
BASE
8. MINARET OF ARGHUN SHAH MOSQUE, IRAN
Source: archnet.org
OTTOMAN MINARET,
ISTANBUL
SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE, ISTANBUL
MINARET OF A MOSQUE
IN LANZHOU, CHINA
