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Capturing shots of the Badshahi mosque in all its splendour is an inspiring and introspective activity. A testament to Lahore's Islamic and architectural heritage, the Badshahi Mosque was built at the height of Mughal architecture during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. (built 1672-74).
The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, whose ecclesiastical name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Córdoba. The structure is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish Islamic architecture.
According to a Wikipedia account, a small Visigoth church, the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins, originally stood on the site. In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers. Córdoba returned to Christian rule in 1236 during the Reconquista, and the building was converted to a Roman Catholic church, culminating in the insertion of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the 16th century.
The Samanid Mausoleum is a mausoleum located in the northwestern part of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, just outside its historic center. It was built in the 10th century CE as the resting place of the powerful and influential Islamic Samanid dynasty that ruled the Samanid Empire from approximately 900 to 1000. The mausoleum is considered one of the iconic examples of early Islamic architecture and is known as the oldest funerary building of Central Asian architecture.
Perfectly symmetrical, compact in its size, yet monumental in its structure, the mausoleum not only combined multi-cultural building and decorative traditions, such as Sogdian, Sassanian, Persian and even classical and Byzantine architecture, but incorporated features customary for Islamic architecture – a circular dome and mini domes, pointed arches, elaborate portals, columns and intricate geometric designs in the brickwork. At each corner, the mausoleum's builders employed squinches, an architectural solution to the problem of supporting the circular-plan dome on a square.
The Albaicín is a district of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. It retains the narrow winding streets of its Medieval Moorish past dating back to the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.The Albaicín, one of the oldest centers of Muslim culture in Granada, contains the Alhambra, the Realejo (which was the Jewish quarter), and the Arrabal de Bib-Arrambla, in the flat part of the city.
It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984, along with the Alhambra.
Blue Mosque in Istanbul - One of the six minarets is presently being rebuilt, you can just see the scaffolding with the Turkish flag flying on top of it.
Courtyards were a focal point of the architecture of the Alhambra, containing pools as seen here in the Court of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes), fountains, or gardens. The pool here is fed by water entering in the small spillway at the bottom of the photo and exiting at the far side. The flow was carefully regulated to keep the surface still to produce the lovely reflection of the Comares Tower. The arch in the center of the building is the same as shown in the previous post.
Marrakesh, Morocco
The mosque was founded in 1147 by the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu'min right after he conquered Marrakesh from the Almoravids. A second version of the mosque was entirely rebuilt by Abd al-Mu'min around 1158, with Ya'qub al-Mansur possibly finalizing construction of the minaret around 1195. This second mosque is the structure that stands today. It is considered a classic and important example of Almohad architecture and of Moroccan mosque architecture generally. The minaret tower, 77 metres (253 ft) in height, is decorated with varying geometric arch motifs and topped by a spire and metal orbs. It likely inspired other buildings such as the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat, which were built shortly after in the same era. The minaret is also considered an important landmark and symbol of Marrakesh.
—from Wikipedia
Enlarge this photo to see the intricacies and the stalactite- a typical Islamic architectural feature in several of its arch, reminiscent of the time when Prophet Muhammad meditated in the caves,
Techo decorado en el mausoleo Bahauddin Naqshband, en Bogoudin, Bujará, Uzbekistán (1544). Incluye la tumba de Shaykh Baha-ud-Din or Bohoutdin (fallecido en 1389) , fundador de la orden sufí Naqshbandi.
Madrasa Sher-Dor (1619-1636) (en persa, شیردار), parte del complejo del Registán, en samarcanda, Uzbekistán. Ordenada construir por el gobernante de Samarcanda, Yalangtush Bakhodur. Incluye en su iwan una representación de tigres, entre otros motivos persas, inusuales en el arte islámico.
The heat tower is a structure that acts as a natural air conditioner by convecting heat from the center of the building up and out. This is seen in the Al-Attarine Madrasa; those are the dormitories on the level above and they are quite austere. This Islamic school or madrasa was built in the 14th century in Fez, Morocco. Fez (Fès) is considered the spiritual and cultural center of Morocco. The old medina of Fez was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981.
The Blue Mosque's historical and architectural significance, as well as its cultural and religious importance, make it a central attraction in Istanbul. The inclusion of the mosque in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list underscores its value in preserving and showcasing the rich history of Istanbul.
The mosque's distinctive features, such as the central dome, semi-domes, courtyard, and minarets, reflect the classical Ottoman architectural style. The interior adorned with Iznik tiles and floral motifs in shades of blue adds a unique and visually stunning aspect to the mosque, earning it the popular name "Blue Mosque."
The strategic location of the Blue Mosque, situated across from the Hagia Sophia and near the former Hippodrome, creates a historical and cultural ensemble, making this area a focal point for tourists and visitors interested in exploring the rich heritage of Istanbul.
The inclusion of Ahmed I's tomb, a madrasa, and other structures within the mosque's külliye further contributes to its significance as a religious complex, showcasing the multifaceted aspects of Ottoman architecture and cultural practices.
Overall, the Blue Mosque stands as a testament to the grandeur and artistry of the Ottoman Empire, inviting both worshippers and tourists to appreciate its architectural magnificence and historical importance.
Courtyard of the Plaster,
12th century
The Alcázar of Seville, officially called Royal Alcázar of Seville (Spanish: Real Alcázar de Sevilla or Reales Alcázares de Sevilla) is a historic royal palace in Seville, Spain. It was formerly the site of the Islamic-era citadel of the city, begun in the 10th century and then developed into a larger palace complex by the Abbadid dynasty (11th century) and the Almohads (12th to early 13th centuries).
After the Castilian conquest of the city in 1248, the site was progressively rebuilt and replaced by new palaces and gardens. Among the most important of these is a richly-decorated Mudéjar-style palace built by Pedro I during the 1360s .
The palace is a preeminent example of Mudéjar style in the Iberian Peninsula and also includes sections with Gothic and Renaissance elements. The upper stories of the Alcázar are still occupied by the royal family when they visit Seville and are administered by the Patrimonio Nacional. It was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along with the adjoining Seville Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies.
Madrasa Mir-i-Arab, en Bujara, Uzbekistán (circa 1530-36), patrocinada por el jeque Abdallah Yamani, líder de los shebaynidas
Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, whose ecclesiastical name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Córdoba dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and located in the Spanish region of Andalusia. The structure is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture.
According to a Wikipedia account, a small Visigoth church, the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins, originally stood on the site. In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers. Córdoba returned to Christian rule in 1236 during the Reconquista, and the building was converted to a Roman Catholic church, culminating in the insertion of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the 16th century.
I was resting on a piece of marble in the vicinity of the mosque when I noticed that the marble actually added to the reflection off the water surface that I was trying to capture earlier, then the idea of the double reflection came to me.
I know it could have been better but I was running outta marble.
A view through the pillars supporting the western pavillion of the Courtyard of the Lions (Patio de los Leones/ بهو السباع) at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. This courtyard and the surrounding palaces were built in the mid-14th century under the direction of the Nasrid sultan Muhammed V.
A line of flowing water leads to the center of the courtyard toward the Fountain of Lions, which consists of 12 lion sculptures arranged in a circle. Some historians suggest the fountain was ingeniously designed as a clock, with the water spouting from a different lion’s mouth as the time changed. When the Alhambra was taken by the Spanish Christians after the Reconquista in 1492 the fountain was dismantled to try to figure out how it worked, an effort that proved unsuccessful. The garden that once surrounded the fountain has been replaced by marble flagstone during restorations in the past 2 decades.
The pavilion walls show the beautiful ornamentation exemplifying Islamic architectural art of 3 styles: arabesque with twirling intertwined lines similar to tendrils of a vine, repeated geometric motifs, and calligraphic figures with quotations from the Qur’an and Islamic poetry. The warm light is provided by reflection off a wall behind the camera.
The beautifully ornamented archway separates the entry hallway (Sala de la Barca) to the Comares Palace and the Courtyard of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes) in the Nasrid Palace of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. The archway was part of construction overseen by Mohammed V around 1365 during the golden era of architectural development of the Alhambra. During this period palaces with beautifully adorned rooms in which the rulers lived and worked were built adjacent to courtyards with fountains, pools, and gardens.
The arches show well how the stucco was sculpted in arabesque patterns, i.e. repeated motifs of intertwined decorative lines similar to tendrils of a vine, as well as stalactite type ornamentation on the bottom of the closest arch. Islamic art used in architectural ornamentation lacks inclusion of people and relies primarily on the use of patterning or script from the Qur’an (calligraphic motifs).
As the sun dips below the horizon, Masjid India in Kuching glows like a beacon of peace. The reflection on the water, the vibrant sky, and the gentle silhouette of a boat tell a story of stillness and spirituality.
Complejo de Poi-i-Kalan, Bujara, Uzbekistán. Construida por Ubaydullah Khan en el S. XVI, sobre las ruinas de la anterior mezquita del mismo nombre, del S. XII, destruida por Gengis Khan. Galerías de la mezquita (Masjid-i Kalan)
A popular tourist site, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque continues to function as a mosque today; men still kneel in prayer on the mosque's lush red carpet after the call to prayer. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I.
The last sunset of 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Close-up of the domes of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque illuminated in blue light. The lights shift from white to blue depending on the lunar cycle, becoming bright white with a full moon and deeper blue as the moon wanes.
The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, in addition to containing notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
The complex was begun in 1238 by Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar, the first Nasrid emir and founder of the Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim state of Al-Andalus. It was built on the Sabika hill, an outcrop of the Sierra Nevada which had been the site of earlier fortresses and of the 11th-century palace of Samuel ibn Naghrillah. Later Nasrid rulers continuously modified the site.
The photo here is that of the corridor surrounding the Court of Lions. One can see the detailed wall carvings and the arches.
The Sarawak State Old Mosque, with its iconic golden domes, stands as a symbol of Kuching’s Islamic heritage. Built in the late 1960s on the site of an older 19th-century mosque, it remains a spiritual landmark and a testament to the city’s rich cultural history.
This Islamic school or madrasa was built in the 14th century in Fez, Morocco. Fez (Fès) is considered the spiritual and cultural center of Morocco. The old medina of Fez was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. (Zoom in to see the incredible detail.)