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Art and Architecture

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53 views26 pages

Art and Architecture

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shahalashajeer123
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Jamia Hamdard University

SUBJECT (MAIS-305-E:Islam in
Spain and Sicily

TOPIC (Art and Architecture)

By Mr. Mohammed Husain


Art and Architecture
Background:
 The civilization of Andalus (modern-day Spain) was primarily an
Arab Islamic civilization.
 Its core elements came from the East, particularly Damascus and
Syria, and were then adapted in Andalus.
 The local culture, including that of the Visigoths, blended with this
Arab influence. As a result, a unique civilization developed in the
westernmost part of Europe during the Islamic period.
 This civilization was both distinctly Islamic-Arabic and European-
Western.
 However, the influence of Islam and Arab culture was dominant,
giving this civilization a unique identity.
Architecture
 The most lasting influence of this Arab-Islamic and Western
culture in Andalusia was seen in its architecture.

 Rulers, both Umayyad and non-Umayyad, Arab and Berber,


contributed to the development of Andalusian architecture during
their rule, each leaving their own mark.

 This included city planning, the construction of palaces,


mosques, and schools, as well as infrastructure such as roads,
canals, dams, and bridges.
City Planning
 Like the Umayyad Caliphate in Damascus, the rulers of Andalus
built new cities.

 The capital was initially Seville, but later it was moved to


Cordoba.

 Many new cities and villages were developed during their reigns.

 Urban development became more advanced, especially during the


time of Emir Abd al-Rahman I, who built the walls of Cordoba
with seven or eight gates.
 The construction of Madinah al-Zahra was one of the most
significant architectural achievements of Caliph Abd al-Rahman
III.
 It was located a few miles from Cordoba and was designed to be an
example of unparalleled beauty.
 The outer walls were based on Roman and Byzantine styles,
and Byzantine craftsmen were brought in to work on its design.

 The roof and pillars had the old Andalusian style, but the
overall influence was Arab and Islamic.

 During this time, many forts were also built, acting as cities in
themselves, in key areas like Zaragoza, Toledo, and Seville.
Official Palaces
 The Umayyad rulers and their governors often used the palaces
from the Visigoth period as their residences, modifying them
according to their needs and tastes.

 For example, Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhl chose the Córdoba


palace of former King Witiza and Roderick as his residence.

 The palace known as Blat Zariq and Qasre Hukumat was also
used as a government building, which Abd al-Rahman had
rebuilt.
 Abd al-Rahman ii constructed many new palaces and gardens
in Córdoba.
 The palaces built by Khalifa Abd al-Rahman III were
magnificent.
 The luxurious palace of Jaafariya, the independent ruler of
Saragossa, Abu Jafar al-Muqatdar (1049) was an architectural
masterpiece of that time.
 Unfortunately, the palaces from the Murabatin period have not
survived, but they were known for being simple in design.

 One of the finest architectural examples from the Almohad period


is the Giralda of Seville, which is now a church tower, though it
was originally a mosque's minaret.
Rasafa
 The Umayyad caliphs of Damascus built their winter and
leisure palaces in rural areas, which they called Rasafa.

 Similarly, in Andalus, Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhl built Rasafa on


the western side of Córdoba.
 It was a magnificent series of palaces surrounded by gardens filled
with various trees and plants, including pomegranate and palm
trees.
 Abd al-Rahman ii built many tourist spots in his time.
 The tradition of constructing such palaces and rural buildings was
continued by other Umayyad nobles and caliphs.
Bridges and Roads
 During the Umayyad period, Governor Samah bin Malik Khulani
built the great bridge of Córdoba, which was later rebuilt by
Hisham I.
 Other rulers, including Abd al-Rahman I and II, constructed
buildings in various areas across the kingdom.

 Roads were built throughout Andalusia, and old roads were


repaired.
 Inns were constructed at regular intervals along the roads to
provide resting places for travelers.
Mosques
 The construction of mosques in Andalusia began with the Islamic
conquest and continued until the end of the Islamic era.
 Each Muslim community had at least one mosque, and large cities
had many.
 After the conquest of Córdoba, Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhl built
the famous Great Mosque, known as the Jame Cordoba, in his
time.
 His successors, including Abd al-Rahman ii, Hakam II, and Al-
Mansur, made important additions to the mosque, turning it into a
masterpiece of architectural beauty.
 This new style was inspired by the Syrian buildings of the
Umayyad Caliphate, especially in Damascus.
 Though the idea of horseshoe-shaped arches came from
Visigoth buildings, the double-arched design for increased
height was a unique feature of Muslim architecture.
 The Second Order's additions to the mosque were especially
artistic.
 The intricate carvings, particularly in the mosque's mihrab, are
among the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture.

 Hisham I also built several mosques, including expansions to


the Great Mosque of Córdoba, and constructed a mosque in the
province of Arbuna.
 Abd al-Rahman ii built mosques in the capital city and other regions,
including the impressive Great Mosques of Seville (Ashbelia) and
Jaén (Jayan).

 The mosques built during the Murabitun period had a different


architectural style, often using brick pillars, unlike the stone pillars
used in other periods.

 The Great Mosque of Seville, built by Yaqub al-Mansur (1198 AD),


is a notable example from the Almohad era.

 The architectural styles in Andalusia were influenced by Syrian, Iraqi,


and North African traditions. Despite these influences, the buildings
had a unique Andalusian Muslim identity, making them distinctive and
special.
THANK YOU!
Jamia Hamdard University Team

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