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Apr 5, 2024 12 tweets 4 min read Read on X
During the Dark Ages, the spread of Islam introduced a unique blend of cultural and architectural innovations worldwide, creating a distinct architectural style.

Let us explore the key elements of Islamic architecture. 🧵⤵️ Interior of Pink Mosque in Shiraz, Iran  By Herbert karim masihi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72527181
Rooted in the early Islamic period, this architectural style has evolved by assimilating various elements from Mesopotamian, Roman, Byzantine, Chinese, and Mughal architectures. Great Mosque of Cordoba, interior, 8th - 10th centuries (38). "The effect of two sets of arches is mesmerizing, especially so because the white stone arches are banded with red brick" -- Witold Rybczynski, The Story of Architecture, 2022. By Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Great Mosque of Cordoba, interior, 8th - 10th centuries (38), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69778364
One of the hallmark features of Islamic architecture is the dome, a structural element that not only serves as a significant component of mosque design but also symbolizes the heavens. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem (Photo by Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Arches are another defining characteristic of Islamic architecture, serving as gateways to the divine. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Minarets, towering above mosque complexes, serve both as architectural landmarks and as points from which the call to prayer is issued. Minarets in Qom
Islamic decorations, known for their use of geometric patterns, calligraphy, and floral motifs, demonstrate a profound appreciation for symmetry and continuity. Arcades around the central courtyard feature bricks laid in geometric patterns (Fasih Ahmed, CC BY-SA 3.0)
The intricate decorative feature known as Muqarnas, which resembles stalactites or honeycombs, showcases the complexity and artistic creativity of Islamic architecture. Muqarnas vaulting in the iwan entrance to the Shah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran (17th century) (Photo by Gire 3pich2005/Hossein Majidi, Wikimedia GFDL)
The Mihrab, a semicircular niche indicating the direction of the Qibla, is a focal point in mosque design, guiding worshippers in their prayers. The Mosque’s Mihrab (Photo by A.Savin/ Wikimedia - FAL)
Courtyards and gardens are integral to Islamic architecture, providing serene environments for communal gatherings and personal reflection. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India (Photo by Islamicquotes)
Hypostyle halls, with their grid of columns supporting a roof, are a testament to the Islamic architectural preference for spaces that inspire awe and spiritual reflection. Hypostyle prayer hall of the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia (Photo by Dennis Jarvis - Flickr: Tunisia-4545 - Prayer Hall, CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Iwan, an architectural element characterized by a vaulted space open on one side, exemplifies the Islamic architectural tradition's ability to merge form with function, providing a majestic yet welcoming entrance to mosques and palaces. Iwan entrance of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, built by Timur in the early 15th century (Photo by Doron, Wikimedia - CC BY-SA 3.0)
An article on Islamic architecture was published today in our newsletter:

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