View allAll Photos Tagged IslamicArchitecture
Lahore Fort started life as a defensive wall on the banks of River Ravi by the earliest settlers who founded Lahore. It was attacked, damaged, demolished, and rebuilt into various structures several times over, until it acquired its present general form under Emperor Akbar in 1566. Succeeding emperors, Sikh conquerors, and British colonists used the fort as the seat of their governance, and added their architectural influences to the citadel to give it its present configuration.
Legend has it that Empress Mumtaz Mahal (who is entombed in the Taj Mahal in Agra) told her husband Emperor Shah Jehan that she had a dream in which she looked up at the stars, and each star had her face on it. The Emperor was so taken by his Empress that he decided to make her dream come true, and built the Sheesh Mahal, the walls and ceilings of which were embedded with thousands of convex mirrors and precious/semi-precious stones, so that anywhere one looked they would see a reflection of themselves. Unfortunately, Mumtaz Mahal died before she could visit Sheesh Mahal, and the grieving emperor built the magnificent Taj Mahal as his wife's final resting place.
For more information on Sheesh Mahal, please see: www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/11/20/the-mirror-palace/
For more detailed information on Lahore Fort, please see: sites.ualberta.ca/~rnoor/lahore_fort.html, and
Stari Most - Mostar - Federacija Bosne I Hercegovine - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Stari Most (English: Old Bridge) is a reconstruction of a 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects two parts of the city. The Old Bridge stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9 November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat–Bosniak War. Subsequently, a project was set in motion to reconstruct it, and the rebuilt bridge opened on 23 July 2004.
One of the country's most recognizable landmarks, it is also considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans and was designed by Mimar Hayruddin, a student and apprentice of the famous architect Mimar Sinan.
Dusk light by beautiful 17th century Persian architecture on top of the tomb of a son of Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha - Imam Reza - the 8th Shia Imam and direct descendant of Prophet Mohammad, who was poisoned by the Abbasid caliphs in the 9th century. In a similar way, the Umeyyad and Abbasid caliphates - which waged wars of aggression and criminal occupations from Spain to India in the name of Islam - persecuted and assassinated the majority of the direct descendants of Prophet Mohammad, arguably the people most knowledgeable in Islam of their respective times.
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Wazir Khan Mosque was completed in 1635 by Nawab Wazir Khan who was the governor of the region during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan.
The mosque was designed to be more than just a place of worship. It served as a town center, where 22 shops were integrated in the mosque design. Other markets extended out at right angles from the sides of the mosque. Before the Badshahi Mosque was constructed, Wazir Khan Mosque served as the Royal Mosque, and Emperor Shah Jehan offered his Friday prayers here in congregation.
The distinct feature of this mosque is that unlike other contemporaneous Mughal buildings, the primary construction material is brick, embellished with mosaic tile work and fresco paintings. Another defining feature are the the four 107 feet high octagonal minarets impaneling floral mosaic tiles. Some restoration work has been undertaken on the structure, but this portion of the fresco artwork appears to have been left alone, & it is amazing to see the colors have remained so vibrant through the centuries.
For more information on the Wazir Khan Mosque, please see: sites.ualberta.ca/~rnoor/mosque_wazir_khan.html
theculturetrip.com/asia/pakistan/articles/reliving-the-pa...
Lahore Fort started life as a defensive wall on the banks of River Ravi by the earliest settlers who founded Lahore. It was attacked, damaged, demolished, and rebuilt into various structures several times over, until it acquired its present general form under Emperor Akbar in 1566. Succeeding emperors, Sikh conquerors, and British colonists used the fort as the seat of their governance, and added their architectural influences to the citadel to give it its current configuration.
Long distance communication in the contemporaneous era was undertaken by trained pigeons. These pigeon holes were the bases from which royal communications were dispatched and received. Even though technology has made messenger pigeons redundant, their descendants still occupy these dwellings.
For more detailed information on Lahore Fort, please see: sites.ualberta.ca/~rnoor/lahore_fort.html, and
I'm glad to inform you that I have finally upgraded to a better camera: the Olympus E-PL3. This is the first result, taken during an exciting trip in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a royal Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The mosque considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific and a major landmark and tourist attraction of Brunei.
Named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, the mosque as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei dominates the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan. The building was completed in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque unites Mughal architecture and Italian styles. The plans were done by Booty and Edwards Chartered Architects according to designs by the Italian architect Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli, who had already for decades been working at the gulf of Siam. The mosque is built in an artificial lagoon on the banks of the Brunei River at Kampong Ayer, the "village in the water". It has marble minarets and golden domes with courtyards and lush gardens full of fountains. The mosque is surrounded by a large number of trees and floral gardens which in Islam symbolizes heaven. A bridge reaches across the lagoon to Kampong Ayer in the middle of the river. Another marble bridge leads to a structure in the lagoon meant as a replica of a 16th Century Sultan Bolkiah mahligai barge. It was built to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of Nuzul Al-Quran (coming down of the Quran), completed in 1967 and used to stage Quran reading competitions. The mosque's most recognizable feature, the main dome, is covered in pure gold. The mosque stands 52 m (171 ft) high and can be seen from virtually anywhere in Bandar Seri Begawan. The main minaret is the mosque's tallest feature. In a unique way it mixes Renaissance and Italian architectural style. The minaret has an elevator to the top, where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The interior of the mosque is for prayer only. It has magnificent stained glass windows, arches, semi-domes and marble columns. Nearly all the material used for the building has been imported from abroad: the marble from Italy, the granite from Shanghai, the crystal chandeliers from England and the carpets from Saudi Arabia.
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Isfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran, and was once one of the largest cities in the world. It flourished from 1050 to 1722, particularly in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Even today, the city retains much of its past glory. It is famous for its Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the Persian proverb "'Esfahān nesf-e jahān ast" (Isfahan is half of the world).
Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque (Masjed-e Sheikh Lotf-o-llah in Persian or مسجد شيخ لطف الّله ) or Ladies' Mosque is one of the architectural masterpieces of Safavid Iranian architecture, standing in eastern part Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran. It was built in 1615 by the orders of Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty. The architect (Mimar) of the edifice was Muhammad Reza ibn Ustad Hosein Banna Isfahani. He finished construction of the mosque in 1618.
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Lens: EF17-40mm f/4L USM, Photo Focal length: 17.00 mm, Aperture: 4.0, Exposure time: 1/20 s, ISO: 1600
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All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.
This is a good view of the giant bronze doors from the inside.
Casablanca, Morocco
The Hassan II Mosque (Arabic: مسجد الحسن الثاني, French: Grande Mosquée Hassan II) is a mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. It is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's second tallest minaret at 210 metres (689 ft). Completed in 1993, it was designed by Michel Pinseau under the guidance of King Hassan II and built by Moroccan artisans from all over the kingdom. The minaret is 60 stories high topped by a laser, the light from which is directed towards Mecca. The mosque stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean; worshippers can pray over the sea but there is no glass floor looking into the sea. The walls are of hand-crafted marble and the roof is retractable. A maximum of 105,000 worshippers can gather together for prayer: 25,000 inside the mosque hall and another 80,000 on the mosque's outside ground.—from Wikipedia
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This staned glass dome stands in the inner pavillion of the Beyt Al Suhaymi in Gamaliyyah, Cairo. The beauty of the stained glass work and stone carving displays both the taste and the wealth of this 17th century Cairene family.
When we pray... God hears more than we say, Answers more than we ask, Gives more than we imagine... In His own time, and His own way...!" -Anonymous
What struck me most about the Dorut Tilovat complex in Shakhrisabz was the arches — simple, graceful, and full of quiet character. This black-and-white shot captures the rhythm of those hallways, designed for calm and reflection.
The complex, meaning "Place of Reflection," was built in the 14th century by Timur (Tamerlane) to honor his spiritual teacher, Shamsiddin Kulal. Over time, it became a burial site for key figures in his family, including his eldest son, Jehangir.
Even with all its history, what stayed with me most was how quiet and peaceful it felt. Standing in that hallway, I found myself slowing down—just looking, breathing, taking it all in. The simplicity of the space made it easy to focus, to pause, and to appreciate where I was.
Lahore Fort started life as a defensive wall on the banks of River Ravi by the earliest settlers who founded Lahore. It was attacked, damaged, demolished, and rebuilt into various structures several times over, until it acquired its present general form under Emperor Akbar in 1566. Succeeding emperors, Sikh conquerors, and British colonists used the fort as the seat of their governance, and added their architectural influences to the citadel to give it its present configuration.
Legend has it that Empress Mumtaz Mahal (who is entombed in the Taj Mahal in Agra) told her husband Emperor Shah Jehan that she had a dream in which she looked up at the stars, and each star had her face on it. The Emperor was so taken by his Empress that he decided to make her dream come true, and built the Sheesh Mahal, the walls qne ceiling of which were with thousands of convex mirrors and precious/semi-precious stones, so that anywhere one looked they would see a reflection of themselves. Unfortunately, Mumtaz Mahal died before she could visit Sheesh Mahal, and the grieving emperor built the magnificent Taj Mahal as his wife's final resting place.
For more information on Sheesh Mahal, please see: www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/11/20/the-mirror-palace/
For more detailed information on Lahore Fort, please see: sites.ualberta.ca/~rnoor/lahore_fort.html, and
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.)
This ramp is closed to the public and is no doubt reserved for the king and other high officials to enter the mosque complex by car.
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco
The Hassan II Mosque (Arabic: مسجد الحسن الثاني, French: Grande Mosquée Hassan II) is a mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. It is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's second tallest minaret at 210 metres (689 ft). Completed in 1993, it was designed by Michel Pinseau under the guidance of King Hassan II and built by Moroccan artisans from all over the kingdom. The minaret is 60 stories high topped by a laser, the light from which is directed towards Mecca. The mosque stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean; worshippers can pray over the sea but there is no glass floor looking into the sea. The walls are of hand-crafted marble and the roof is retractable. A maximum of 105,000 worshippers can gather together for prayer: 25,000 inside the mosque hall and another 80,000 on the mosque's outside ground.—from Wikipedia
During my Tehran visit I meet A great mufasar Quran Agha Mohsen Qaraati and captured this shot while he was offering prayers.
When we pray... God hears more than we say, Answers more than we ask, Gives more than we imagine... In His own time, and in His own way...!" -Anonymous
ISFAHAN, Iran — The gorgeously decorated interior under the main dome of the Imam Mosque, Masjid-e Imam, of Isfahan, looking straight up from a gate, a UNESCO World heritage site and landmark of Isfahan.
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• All my photos used in book covers
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©2019 German Vogel - All rights reserved - No usage allowed in any form without the written consent of the photographer.
'Magma'
I love getting lost in the little alleys of The Old Town at Downtown Dubai but it wasn't until I flew over this development which really made me appreciate its incredibly inspired architecture and in particular, its lighting design. What an impression it made on me! Those glowing warm lights are incredibly inviting and the whole project feels like Arabian Nights magic, straight out of the Disney cartoon. It was incredibly rewarding to take my camera over there!
Tech notes: I knew I wouldn't have another chance to take this shot so I had to be absolutely sure to get it right the first time. It was night and chopper was heading back to the airport, pretty much in a straight line. We were going fast and I knew motion blur was going to be a a real challenge. I guessed that shutter speed of 1/60s would be just about fast enough to freeze the action. Barely just. Once I set the shutter speed, I opened the aperture of my Canon TS-E 24mm lens all the way to f3.5 and then I kept raising ISO until the exposure was right. It read 4,000! I didn't know how good the picture would be at such high sensitivity. I was worried about excessive grain and highlight/shadow clipping which occurs with cranked-up ISO. There was nothing to be worried about though. Canon 5dmk3 pulled it off without any issues. Picture is sharp and exhibits very little noise even at 100% magnification. Very happy with the result!
Wazir Khan Mosque was completed in 1635 by Nawab Wazir Khan who was the governor of the region during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan.
The mosque was designed to be more than just a place of worship. It served as a town center, where 22 shops were integrated in the mosque design. Other markets extended out at right angles from the sides of the mosque. Before the Badshahi Mosque was constructed, Wazir Khan Mosque served as the Royal Mosque, and Emperor Shah Jehan offered his Friday prayers here in congregation.
The distinct feature of this mosque is that unlike other contemporaneous Mughal buildings, the primary construction material is brick, embellished with mosaic tile work and fresco paintings. Another defining feature are the the four 107 feet high octagonal minarets impaneling floral mosaic tiles. Some restoration work has been undertaken on the structure, but this portion of the fresco artwork appears to have been left alone, & it is amazing to see the colors have remained so vibrant through the centuries.
For more information on the Wazir Khan Mosque, please see: sites.ualberta.ca/~rnoor/mosque_wazir_khan.html
theculturetrip.com/asia/pakistan/articles/reliving-the-pa...
There are no words to describe the splendor of the Alhambra palace.../A
Click on the image for closer details.
Lahore Fort started life as a defensive wall on the banks of River Ravi by the earliest settlers who founded Lahore. It was attacked, damaged, demolished, and rebuilt into various structures several times over, until it acquired its present general form under Emperor Akbar in 1566. Succeeding emperors, Sikh conquerors, and British colonists used the fort as the seat of their governance, and added their architectural influences to the citadel to give it its present configuration.
Ornate carvings directly on the stone pillars evidence the meticulous details and refinements that Mughal architects are famous for.
For more detailed information on Lahore Fort, please see: sites.ualberta.ca/~rnoor/lahore_fort.html, and
ISFAHAN, Iran — Lights and shadows under the dome of the 17th century Sheikh Lotfollah mosque of Isfahan, Iran, with arched windows, Quranic calligraphy in Arabic and countless floral and geometric patterns of ceramic tiles decorating the beautiful architectural masterpiece of Persian architecture.
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©2018 Germán Vogel - All rights reserved - No usage allowed in any form without the written consent of the photographer.