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Umayyad Mosques and Palaces |
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By: FSTC Limited, Tue 15 January, 2002 |
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The Umayyad architectural splendour is experienced in both religious and domestic buildings. At the core of their religious heritage we find the Dome of the Rock, the architectural jewel of Islam and Damascus Mosque, its master piece.
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Architecture under Umayyad Patronage (661-750) |
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By: FSTC Limited, Tue 15 January, 2002 |
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Under the Umayyads, Islam spread to various lands, generating considerable prosperity and wealth. In that period, the mosque developed its main structural and functional elements such as Minaret, Mihrab, Maksurah and dome.
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Architecture of Early Islam (622-661) |
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By: FSTC Limited, Tue 15 January, 2002 |
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The early period of Islam is characterised by the foundation of Muslim Caliphate (state) and the establishment of the congregational mosque. This period witnessed the introduction of a number of architectural design principles and rules.
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The Palaces of Ukhaidir |
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By: FSTC Limited, Mon 14 January, 2002 |
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The architects of Ukhaidir first introduced a new elaborate technique based on the construction of elliptical (pointed) barrel vaults with bricks in similar technique to building a wall and therefore considerably eased the way vaults were built.
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The Abbassid Mosques |
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By: FSTC Limited, Mon 14 January, 2002 |
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Building enthusiasm of the Abbassids took a new dimension in the construction of mosques as reflected in their size and character. They adopted the tradition of mud and baked brick construction in moulded with geometric and vegetal designs.
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Architecture under Abbassid Patronage (750-892) |
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By: FSTC Limited, Mon 14 January, 2002 |
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The Abbassids became patrons of a number of gigantic construction projects extending from large mosques and complex palaces to large-scale urban design and city planning, and consequently played a fundamental role in the city planning.
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Al-Hambra Palace and the river of paradise |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 13 January, 2002 |
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The palace is an architectural masterpiece in every term. The composition of courts, gardens and water expressed the Muslim views of paradise and its eternality rewarding those who strive to reach it.
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Bab Mardum Mosque - An inspiration for Gothic? |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 13 January, 2002 |
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Bab Mardum Mosque was built in Toledo Spain between 999 and 1000 according to an inscription found on its façade. It was believed by Lambert (1958) to be the inspiration for the ribs used in Gothic Architecture all over Europe.
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The Mosque of Cordoba |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 13 January, 2002 |
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One cannot visit Cordoba (in Spain) today without a trip to its main tourist attraction, The Great Mosque of Cordoba. A symbol and reminder to the world of the golden civilisation that Muslims built in Europe over one thousand years ago.
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Architecture of Muslim Caliphate in North Africa |
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By: FSTC Limited, Sun 13 January, 2002 |
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The arrival of Islam to North Africa at the hands of Uqba Ibn Nafi (d.683) transformed region into a construction field resulting in the elaboration and dissemination (to Europe) of building techniques and architectural forms.
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