Algeria known as the “Balcony of the Mediterranean” is at the crossroads of three worlds Mediterranean, Arab & African.
This year the Mediterranean Games are hosted by Algeria; to celebrate we’re exploring its beautiful Islamic architecture & rich heritage #Oran2022
A thread…
1/ Dar Mustapha Pacha, Algeria
A Moorish palace, located in the Casbah of Algiers. It houses the National Museum of Miniatures, Illumination and Calligraphy.
It was built by the future Dey Mustapha Pacha between 1798 and 1799.
2/ Sidi Ahcen, Sétif, Algeria
Built by Sidi Ahcen in 1203, beautiful details of the architecture.
3/ Emir Abdelkader Mosque, Constantine, Algeria
Opened in 1994 it is the second largest mosque in Algeria after Djamaa Al Djazair and can accommodate up to 15,000 worshippers.
4/ Oran, Algeria
Known as the birthplace of rai folk music. The whitewashed Chapelle Santa Cruz, built after a cholera epidemic. In La Blanca, the Turkish old town, is the 18th-century Pacha Mosque with an octagonal minaret. Nearby, Kasr El Bey is an Ottoman palace.
5/ Constantine (Cirta), Algeria
Constantine in Algeria 🇩🇿 is one of the world’s oldest cities.
It became the capital of the Numidian Kingdom under the name Cirta. Destroyed by Maxence in 311CE, it was rebuilt shortly afterwards by Emperor Constantine who named it after himself.
6/ Ghardaïa, Algeria
Part of a pentapolis, a hilltop city amongst four others, built almost 1000 years ago in the M'Zab valley. It was founded by the Mozabites, an Ibadi sect of the Amazigh Muslims. It is a major centre of date production and the manufacture of rugs and cloths.
7/ Tlemcen, Algeria
Former seat of the Ziyanid caliphate, the Mechouar Palace is located inside a large citadel in central Tlemcen. Built in the 12th century, it has recently been restored to its original splendor. It has a similar design to the palace of Al Hambra in Granada.
8/ Casbah of Algiers, Algeria
Algiers palace located in the Casbah of Algiers in Algeria. Currently, it houses the national museum of illumination, miniature and calligraphy of Algiers. The palace was built by Mustapha Pasha between 1798 and 1799.
9/ El Hamma Garden, Algiers, Algeria
The Test Garden of Hamma is a 32-hectare botanical garden located in the Mohamed Belouizdad district of Algiers. Established in 1832 it is a natural museum & includes more than 2,500 species of plants and perennial trees for hundreds of years
10/ Casbah of Algiers, Algeria
A gaze at the back of the room that served as the office of the American consul in Algiers in the early years of French colonization
11/ Zaouïa Tijania, Touggourt, Algeria
Built in 1805 the beautiful colourful interior of Mosquée de la Zaouia Tijania.
12/ Oran, Algeria
A major coastal city located in the north-west of Algeria. Considered the 2nd most important city of Algeria after the capital Algiers. A French département in Algeria existing from 1848 until 1974 - see the French colonial influences in the architecture.
13/ Tlemcen, Algeria
Details from El Mansourah (the victorious) Mosque built by the Marinid of Fez in 1307.
14/ Boussâada, Algeria
Also known as the "City of Happiness!" It has never ceased to inspire artists worldwide, especially painters, who have immortalised the city in their unique works. A beautiful aerial shot of the landscape.
15/ Tlemcen, Algeria
The Andalusian studies center. Tlemlcen is a city in northern Algeria known for Moorish buildings, such as the 11th-century Grand Mosque, 12th-century tomb of Sidi Boumediene adjacent to a mosque is an example of Almoravid architecture, with carved stucco.
16/ El Mechouar, Tlemcen, Algeria
Mechouar Palace is the former official residence of the Zayyanid dynasty. The palace is situated in the middle of the city, and used to be part of the greater Mechouar Citadel which no longer exists except for the palace and the outer wall.
17/ Casbah of Algiers, Algeria
The Ketchaoua Mosque. While Algeria was under French colonial rule, this historic mosque was turned into a Christian cathedral. After the end of the Algerian War of Independence in 1962, it was returned to its original purpose, as a mosque.
18/ Annaba, Algeria
A beauty shot from the port city in northeast Algeria. On the Cours de la Révolution, the main street with a broad central promenade, architecture reflects the city’s French colonial past.
19/ Ghardaia, Algeria
A birdseye view - a colourful expression of the beauty of the city
20/ Bardo Palace, Algiers, Algeria
Bardo palace is a living example of what a Fahs residency looks like. Built during the 18th century. It is now a museum that houses two large collections within its walls. Beautiful interior details
21/ Zemmoura, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria
Bordj Zemoura is a town and commune in Bordj Bou Arréridj Province, Algeria. You can see Mesjid ben Hidous at the top of this picturesque town.
22/ Architecture in Algiers, Algeria
Algeria is known for its decorated doors. Beautiful architectural details in the capital city of Algiers.
23/ Tamanrasset, Algeria by day
Also known as Tamanghasset or Tamenghest, is an oasis city and capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains. It is the chief city of the Algerian Tuareg.
24/ Tamanrasset, Algeria by night
Also known as Tamanghasset or Tamenghest, is an oasis city and capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains. It is the chief city of the Algerian Tuareg.
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Dates back to 1617 & features numerous multicolored windows, a minaret with a lookout spot & a courtyard with several tombs. Although the original Ottoman mosque was heavily damaged during the attacks of the 1990s it has been restored
2/ The Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking, England
This is the first purpose built mosque that was built in the UK.
It was built in 1889 by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, an orientalist of Jewish descent from Hungary. Money was donated by Begum Shah Jahan, the Nawab Begum of Bhopal.
From the bright buildings in Istanbul, to the ‘blue pearl’ of Morocco, here are 20 of the most colourful neighbourhoods and cityscapes across the Muslim world…
A thread…
1/ Colourful Beirut, Lebanon
The architecture of Lebanon embodies the historical, cultural and religious influences that have shaped Lebanon's built environment. It has been influenced by the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans and French.
2/ Colourful Fez, Morocco
Often referred to as the country’s cultural capital. It’s primarily known for its Fes El Bali walled medina, with medieval Marinid architecture, vibrant souks & old-world atmosphere. The medina is home to religious schools from the 14th-century.
Today is World Refugee Day, an international day organised every year on 20 June by the United Nations, to celebrate & honour refugees from around the world.
1/ Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr creates depictions of the war in Syria - composed with stones. Each piece tells a story, & the stone scenes seem to come alive. The imagery is all too familiar. A family on the move, their meagre belongings carried on their heads #WorldRefugeeDay
2/ Laila Ajjawi is a graffiti artist born & raised in a Palestinian refugee camp outside of Irbid, Jordan. Her work focuses on women living in the Middle East, particularly refugees. She has created murals with Women on Walls a public art project based in Egypt #WorldRefugeeDay
Arabic calligraphy is the most highly regarded element of Islamic art, as it is the language of Qur’an. The script has the potential for creating ornamental forms.
1/ Diaa Allam lives & works in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. He is an Arabic calligrapher with a specialisation in 3-D calligraphy, & a live art performer. He sources the darkest & brightest pigments from locations around the world to create his painted calligraphy illusions…
2/ Based in London @ArtofthePen is an internationally renowned classically trained calligrapher. Her work pushes the boundaries of what is expected from this traditional art form. In 2005, Soraya was awarded the sought-after icazetname from Istanbul…
From Kazakhstan to Tajikistan, to Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan, Central Asia is known for its magnificent mosques – each an architectural masterpiece in their own right.
Here are 24 majestic mosques & examples of Islamic architecture across Central Asia #JummahMubarak
A thread…
1/ Shah-i-Zinda, Uzbekistan
Ensemble includes mausoleums, mosques & other ritual buildings of 11-15th & 19th centuries. The name Shah-i-Zinda (meaning "The living king") is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, is buried here
2/ Haji Yaqub Mosque, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
The central mosque of the capital of Tajikistan, the city of Dushanbe. It was named after Haji Yakub, a Tajik religious leader.
The mosque was founded 200 years ago and can accommodate up to 3,000 people.
Islamic art museums & galleries, were created across the world to house magnificent collections of Islamic heritage. These provide creative inspiration for artists today.
To celebrate #MuseumWeek here are 22 global Islamic art museums & collections #CreatorsMW
A thread...
1/ The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world, The British Museum, London
The collection comprises broad & diverse material culture produced from the 7th century to the present day in the Islamic world, stretching from West Africa to Southeast Asia. Mosque lamp, 1549
2/ The Jameel Gallery, The Victoria & Albert Museum, London
The V&A holds over 19,000 items from the Middle East & North Africa, ranging from the early Islamic period (the 7th century) to the early 20th century. It features the Ardabil Carpet - the world's oldest dated carpet.