Discovering the Beauty of Architecture: 5 Beautiful Pieces of Islamic Architecture Around the World
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Adam I. Seedat
By Mariam
1. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
The Alhambra is a
palace built by a princes belonging to the Muslim Nasrid dynasty in the 14th
century. Through time, some parts of the palace have been demolished. Today,
there are three remaining parts: a fortress (al-Qasbah) on the west end of the
hill, a princes-like residence to the east, and a group of pavilions and
gardens known as the Generalife. You can identify the courtyards and spaces of
the Alhambra easily, they are beautifully decorated with colored tiles,
geometric forms, carved wood, and impressive calligraphy.
palace built by a princes belonging to the Muslim Nasrid dynasty in the 14th
century. Through time, some parts of the palace have been demolished. Today,
there are three remaining parts: a fortress (al-Qasbah) on the west end of the
hill, a princes-like residence to the east, and a group of pavilions and
gardens known as the Generalife. You can identify the courtyards and spaces of
the Alhambra easily, they are beautifully decorated with colored tiles,
geometric forms, carved wood, and impressive calligraphy.
©Romain Matteï
2. The Citadel of
Aleppo, Syria
2. The Citadel of
Aleppo, Syria
One of the most
impressive works of architecture in the Midle East is is the citadel that
stands on the top of a hill in the middle of the Syrian city of Aleppo. This
example of Islamic military architecture is very impressive. Some of the
fortifications found on the site by archeologists date back to the Roman times
and earlier.
impressive works of architecture in the Midle East is is the citadel that
stands on the top of a hill in the middle of the Syrian city of Aleppo. This
example of Islamic military architecture is very impressive. Some of the
fortifications found on the site by archeologists date back to the Roman times
and earlier.
On the
inside you can find residences, store supplies, wells, mosques, and defensive
installations, everything that was needed to hold out in times of war or a
siege. The huge entrance block, built around 1213 is the most-imposing part of
the building complex. There are two towering gates: called the Gate of the
Serpents and the Gate of the Lions.
inside you can find residences, store supplies, wells, mosques, and defensive
installations, everything that was needed to hold out in times of war or a
siege. The huge entrance block, built around 1213 is the most-imposing part of
the building complex. There are two towering gates: called the Gate of the
Serpents and the Gate of the Lions.
3. Sultan Amir
Ahmad Bathhouse, Kashan, Iran
Ahmad Bathhouse, Kashan, Iran
Sultan Amir Ahmad
Bathhouse is a very unique example of Persian architecture and decoration. It
was built in the 16th century and is today, a very known and popular tourist
attraction. It is located in a historical area in Kashan. You can get access to
many valuable attractionsfrom that location. The rooftop makes the structure of
the bathhouse quite particular, as it is a charming and artistic part. It is a
popular destination for many photographers at different times of the year as it
offers a lot of breathtaking colors and angles. The bathhouse is registered as
a national heritage site.
Bathhouse is a very unique example of Persian architecture and decoration. It
was built in the 16th century and is today, a very known and popular tourist
attraction. It is located in a historical area in Kashan. You can get access to
many valuable attractionsfrom that location. The rooftop makes the structure of
the bathhouse quite particular, as it is a charming and artistic part. It is a
popular destination for many photographers at different times of the year as it
offers a lot of breathtaking colors and angles. The bathhouse is registered as
a national heritage site.
©Ali Kordzadeh
4. The dome of the Rock, Jerusalem,
Palestine
Palestine
The oldest extant Islamic monument of these
times is the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. It is not only the oldest but also
the best-known. The dome was built in 691–692, that is about 55 years after the
Arab conquered Jerusalem. The structure consists of a luxurious wooden dome
placed on top of an octagonal base. The site is very sacred to both Islam and
Judaism.
times is the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. It is not only the oldest but also
the best-known. The dome was built in 691–692, that is about 55 years after the
Arab conquered Jerusalem. The structure consists of a luxurious wooden dome
placed on top of an octagonal base. The site is very sacred to both Islam and
Judaism.
5. Sulayman Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
One of the most prominent features of the
Istanbul skyline is the towering dome of the Suleymaniye Mosque complex. The
Mosque is built by the Ottoman emperor Suleyman the Magnificent between 1550
and 1557. It is the largest and most impressive of the mosque complexes in
Istanbul. The complex was designed by the Ottoman master architect Sinan and is
considered one of his masterpieces. Around the mosque itself you can find a
hospital, several religious schools, a row of shops, a mausoleum, and a bath.
Istanbul skyline is the towering dome of the Suleymaniye Mosque complex. The
Mosque is built by the Ottoman emperor Suleyman the Magnificent between 1550
and 1557. It is the largest and most impressive of the mosque complexes in
Istanbul. The complex was designed by the Ottoman master architect Sinan and is
considered one of his masterpieces. Around the mosque itself you can find a
hospital, several religious schools, a row of shops, a mausoleum, and a bath.
