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The Seljuk Kiosk Mosque and General Plan |
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By: FSTC Limited, Mon 14 April, 2003 |
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Another Seljuk innovation in the plan of the mosque appeared in what Andre Godard called the Mosque Kiosque. This usually small edifice is characterised by its unusual plan which consists of a domed hall, standing on arches, with three open sides giving it the Kiosk character.
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The Seljuk Iwan |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 13 April, 2003 |
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According to Scerrato (1980) the Iwans plans of Seljuk Mosques were mainly developed for multi-functions including, prayer, teaching, lodging of teachers and students, libraries and charitable activities like stopping stations on the road of pilgrims.
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Architecture Under Seljuk Patronage (1038-1327) |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 13 April, 2003 |
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The Seljuks were the first Turkish dynasty to rule the Muslim World reviving the dying Caliphate. Their arrival marked the introduction of the four Iwan mosque concept, the Caravanserais (Khans) and baroque art that spread to Europe in the 16th century.
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The Great Ummayad Mosque |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 09 March, 2003 |
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The Great Ummayyad Mosque remains one of great symbols of the glorious period of Muslim civilisation and its pride. It is a master piece of architectural ingenuity having a decisive influence on the maturity of mosque architecture all over the Muslim World.
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Al-Mutawwaqil Mosque |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 02 March, 2003 |
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In the ruins of the city Samara (modern day Iraq), the Al-Mutawwaqil Mosque (built 849AD) still provides evidence of early Abbasid architecture. For centuries it remained the world's largest mosque holding an estimated 80,000 worshipers.
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Ribat of Soussa, Muslim invention of rib vaulting? |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 23 February, 2003 |
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In the Ribat (defensive engineering structures) of Port Soussa one finds evidence showing the early use of ribbed valuting by Muslims. Such a technique was not used in Europe until the 11th century, some 200 years after their use in Soussa.
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Ibn Tulun Mosque |
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By: FSTC Limited, Tue 18 February, 2003 |
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Ibn Tulun Mosque is a rare example where Europeans openly admitted its influence on the development of many features of their architecture. Elements such as the pointed arch, the pier, and wall battlements formed the essential ingredients of the birth of Gothic architecture, which led Europe to the Renaissance.
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A'mr Mosque |
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By: FSTC Limited, Mon 17 February, 2003 |
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In year 642AD, A'mr Ibn Al-Aas laid the foundations of the first and oldest Mosque in Egypt and Africa. Measuring 25 meters long by 15 meters wide it was a simple structure and imitated the Prophet's mosque in Medina.
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The Baths of Damascus |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 26 January, 2003 |
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Islamic Syria inherited the tradition of using the bath from Roman society but gave it a special promotion because of Islam's emphasis on cleanliness, hygiene and good health.
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The Taj Mahal |
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By: FSTC Limited, Fri 20 December, 2002 |
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A white marble tomb built in 1631-48 in Agra, seat of the Mugal Empire by Shah Jehan for his wife, Arjuman Banu Begum, the monument sums up many of the formal themes that have played through Islamic architecture.
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