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Islamic architecture.
Mahoma prophet created the Muslim religion, towards year 622 (date of the
Hegira), in the Arab city of Medina. The mosque is the most significant building
of the Islamic architecture and its function does not respond to complex rituals
(like the Christian temple) but to only welcome a space for the oration. The
climate of the desert, where the Muslim religion arose, makes the protection
necessary of the sun, the wind and the sand, so that the first models consisted
of a simple forficate rectangular enclosure with a patio in their center. The
fundamental part of the mosque constitutes quibla, that is the wall del
perimeter oriented towards Mecca, where must direct to the oration the faithful.
In the center of quibla mihrab is located, a hornacina niche or that serves to
distinguish the wall of quibla. Sometimes also it was arranged, to the right of
mihrab, minibar or pulpit from which the magnet (or any other type of religious
or political head) organizes the oration and harangue to the participants. The
structural elements were different throughout history, but always with the
predominance of the use of the arc like sustenance element. The covers,
nevertheless, can be flat, of wood to two waters, vaults or cupolas. A common
characteristic is the absence of bays in the perimetrals walls, which
consolidates the space of the mosque like a near space, indicated for the
prayer, whose only light comes from the patio or some opening in the cover that
produces a weak incursion of zenithal light.
The set of the mosque is completed with a called tower to almoner or minaret,
from which it is called five daily times to the oration of the faithful. The
general model subsists nowadays, although typologies with the object of use can
only be considered as, since numerous Christian churches (as the one of Santa
Sophia in Constantinople or Istanbul) they have happened to be mosques without
too many transformations. The Islamic faith prohibits the representations of
people and animals. In order to replace them, the Islamic architecture has
generated throughout its history a characteristic decoration, using profusely
vegetal reasons (arabesque), geometric and the own Arab handwriting. The
materials that have been used to decorate the parameters have been varied:
tiles, ceramics, mosaics, carved wood, marquetry, marbles, erinaceous stones,
stuccos or marbles with gem incrustations. Islamic Art and architecture see. |
