The document summarizes key elements of Islamic mosque architecture. It describes standard features like courtyards, fountains for ablutions, minarets to call prayers, and mihrabs indicating the direction of Mecca. It provides examples of early mosques that adapted Roman architectural styles, like Damascus' Great Mosque based on a basilica. The hypostyle plan with columns supporting the roof and four-iwan plan with central courtyards and vaulted entrances are described. Decorative elements like muqarnas stalactite patterns and tilework featuring calligraphy and patterns are also summarized.

1. Islamic Mosque
Architecture

2. Masji Al-Nabawi, Medina -- the second holiest mosque in Islam, it marks the final
resting place of the prophet Muhammad
A mosque (masjid in Arabic) is a place where Muslims can gather for prayer

3. Muslim religious practices do not require ceremonial space

4. Muslim prayer can be conducted anywhere: all you need to know is which direction
faces towards Mecca

5. But on Fridays, Muslims gather together for communal prayer, and the mosque
provides a non-hierarchical space in which to do this

6. Standard elements of the Muslim Mosque includes the Sahn, or courtyard, and an
ablutions fountain

7. The fountain is used for cleansing before prayer

8. The Minaret is a tower used by the Muezzin to call the faithful to prayer

9. It is similar to Christian bell towers, that are similarly used to announce the time for
worship

10. Inside the Mosque, there is a Qibla wall that faces in the direction of Mecca

11. The Mihrab is an indentation in the wall that faces in the direction of Mecca

12. It usually takes the form of a decorated niche, and simply indicates which direction to
pray

13. The Minbar is a structure located next to the Mihrab

14. Similar to a pulpit in a Christian church, the Minbar is where the prayer leader, or
Imam, gives the Friday sermon

15. This is a Mihrab from a mosque in Isfahan, Iran – and is currently in the Metropolitan
Museum of Art

16. It exhibits several typical features of Islamic art

17. The pointed arch was a variant on the Roman arch, and is a distinctive element of
Islamic architecture

18. The decoration of the niche is made with ceramic tiles, a common material in Islamic
decoration

19. The decorative motifs include geometric patterns, stylized plant forms, and calligraphy
– all of which were common in Islamic ornamentation

20. The Mihrab is similar to the apse of a Christian church, in that it provides a focal point
for prayer

21. But a major difference is that in Islamic religious architecture, figural imagery is strictly
forbidden

22. Great Mosque, Damascus, Syria, 706-715
One of the oldest surviving Islamic mosques is the Great Mosque of Damascus, built
by the Umayyad Caliphs in the 8th century

23. Just as Early Christians re-purposed the Roman basilica for the Early Christian church,
Islamic architects also appropriated Roman models for their mosques

24. Great Mosque, Damascus, Syria, 706-715
The Great Mosque at Damascus is preceded by a Sahn, with an ablutions fountain

26. The piers with arches surrounding the courtyard resemble Roman aqueducts

27. The prayer hall itself is based on the Roman basilica

28. The interior has Corinthian columns, and Roman-style arches

29. Great Mosque, Kairouan, Tunisia, c, 836-875
The Great Mosque at Kairouan, Tunisia is an example of a hypostyle mosque

30. The mosque is preceded by a courtyard, with a minaret tower, and the prayer hall itself
is a broad rectangular building

31. It is called a “hypostyle” mosque, because inside the prayer hall the roof is held up be
a forest of columns

32. Inside the mosque we see Corinthian columns, and a variation on the standard Roman
round arch

33. Islamic architects introduced the Horseshoe arch – a variation on the Roman arch, and
distinctive of Islamic architecture

34. Mihrab from the Madrasa Imami, Isfahan, Iran, c. 1354
Glazed tilework
Metropolitan Museum
The Pointed, or “ogival” arch, was another distinctively Islamic variation

35. Great Mosque, Córdoba, Spain, 8thc
A spectacular hypostyle mosque was built by the Umayyad Caliphs of Spain

36. Great Mosque, Córdoba, Spain, 8thc
It is the largest mosque in the Islamic west

37. The prayer hall has 514 columns, topped by double-tiered arches

38. Here we see the distinctive use of the horseshoe arch

39. And Roman-style Corinthian columns

40. Great Mosque, Isfahan, Iran; begun 1073
In the 11th century the four-iwan mosque replaced the hypostyle mosque

41. Great Mosque, Isfahan, Iran; begun 1073
The “iwans” refer to the monumental entrances off the central courtyard

42. The Four Iwan Mosque
The building is organized around a
central courtyard with vaulted
entrances or iwans
The largest vault is the entrance to
the prayer hall
Plan of a Four Iwan Mosque
Image source: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/arc/ind/2_meisaku/50_zavareh/zav_eng.htm

43. The entrances and the onion-shaped dome are decorated with intricately patterned
ceramic tiles

44. Here we see the three major elements of Islamic ornamentation: geometric patterns,
vegetal patterns, and calligraphy

45. This is a view of one of the domes from the interior

46. Image source: http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1475927287015862856xWIKOd
The iwan entrances are decorated with a stalactite pattern called a muqarnas

47. The complex patterns of the muqarnas extends the use of geometric pattern to
architecture

48. The pattern suggest abstract complexity of the universe

50. Sinan the Great,
Mosque of Selim II,
Edirne, Turkey, 1568-
1575
One of the greatest Islamic architects was Sinan the Great, who built the Mosque of
Selim II, in Turkey

51. Based on the Hagia Sophia (which it rivals in size), the building is an example of a
central plan mosque

52. It is spectacular in it decoration and design

53. Watch the Smarthistory discussion to learn more