Some beautiful examples of Islamic architecture

[NesuD]

Those pictures = math owns all. The corbelled arches, the domes, the symmetry.
Thanks OP.

Something interesting for you. Your reference to math reminded me of it. All that Islamic Domed architecture that is so predominate in Mosques is actually Christian in origin. The first domed mosque (Ayasofya Mosque) is in Istanbul and was built between 532 and 537 at the order of the Emperor Justinian 1st as the Cathedral Hagia Sophia. The two original architects of the structure are described as a physicist and a mathematician. When Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into the Ayasofya Mosque. Historians generally agree that this structure was the protoype for the domed architecture used in the classic mosque design as seen in the temple on the mount for example. The architecture is a product of the region not the religion and is ancient in origin not to mention spectacularly beautiful.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've been to the Alhambra in Spain, beautiful example of Islamic architecture.

 

[Farang]

One of my favorite courses in college was on on Islamic architecture. Not only the beauty if it, but the functionality. They had to create soem creally clever ways of air conditioning before electricity came along.

It was lost during the colonial era when people tried to recreate Parisian avenues in Baghdad, for example. Now they build giant glass skyscrapers in Dubai. A complete waste of energy and not functional for the climate.

 

[F1N3ST]

Interesting trolling, but aside from that, beautiful buildings and stuffs.

 

[Squisher]

It looks like they would make a damned fine shower curtain. Also, Don Cherry is looking for some new suit material.

 

[lxskllr]

I'm kinda interested in your thoughts on "minimalism" vs. "gaudy". While I agree gothic architecture is beautiful, i find that it has a lot of attention to detail as well. My assumption is that you're not a fan of the more "colorful" tile/art-work or the frequent, omnipresent, repetitive patterns?

Note that i'm not being sarcastic. I'm just curious about the specific elements you like in Middle-Eastern vs. European architecture. If you're a fan of different architectures you may also want to check out the architecture of Indian Hindu temples. The Venkateswara temple at Tirupati is a great example:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=...=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi#start=0&imgsz=l&tbo=1

I find Hindu architecture is generally MUCH less colorful (as many of the buildings are built out of granite stones) but has the intricate details reminiscent of Gothic.

I'll take this on, since we may have similar likes. I like ornate carving, but I prefer the appearance less busy, and the colors muted. I'd rather see natural stone and wood instead of bright mosaics, and gold. I also like a more minimalist approach in Asian design, favoring Japanese design over Indian for instance. There's always exceptions of course, but those are the general guidelines.

 

[Colt45]

Something interesting for you. Your reference to math reminded me of it. All that Islamic Domed architecture that is so predominate in Mosques is actually Christian in origin. The first domed mosque (Ayasofya Mosque) is in Istanbul and was built between 532 and 537 at the order of the Emperor Justinian 1st as the Cathedral Hagia Sophia. The two original architects of the structure are described as a physicist and a mathematician. When Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into the Ayasofya Mosque. Historians generally agree that this structure was the protoype for the domed architecture used in the classic mosque design as seen in the temple on the mount for example. The architecture is a product of the region not the religion and is ancient in origin not to mention spectacularly beautiful.

Yeah, orthodox is big on domes. Greek, serbian, etc... balkan orthodox churches have the big flat domes. russian and ukrainskij usually have littler taller ones, or onion ones..

 

[alexruiz]

Beautiful pictures!

 

[0roo0roo]

Amazing photos in the OP. Shame about the usual xenophobic trolls ruining this thread. Anyone who can't appreciate the sophisticated geometry and fine workmanship in things like this:
is a lesser human being.

anyone that can't appreciate that the buildings were simply built by people under the rule of islamic ideology and it means nothing beyond that is blinkered. In such societies being an atheist isn't really an option, meaning you don't know what the f*ck anyone really believes in such societies, and so to claim that you really know this designer believed this or that is mostly nonsense. anyways the oppression and backwards thinking that stilted many other aspects of science and society were not worth the price of a few geometric buildings.

 

[Locut0s]

Wow... a trip itinerary like that would probably put you on the terrorist watch list these days. Not trying to be an ass... just sayin!

I doubt it. What with the number of legitimate businessmen who fly to the middle east all the time. There's more than enough foreign investment in the middle east and companies with branches in the middle east that western businessmen fly back and forth all the time.

 

[Locut0s]

I've been to the Alhambra in Spain, beautiful example of Islamic architecture.

Me too! Went a few years back. Agreed beautiful work. But this is just so much brighter!

 

[AreaCode707]

anyone that can't appreciate that the buildings were simply built by people under the rule of islamic ideology and it means nothing beyond that is blinkered. In such societies being an atheist isn't really an option, meaning you don't know what the f*ck anyone really believes in such societies, and so to claim that you really know this designer believed this or that is mostly nonsense. anyways the oppression and backwards thinking that stilted many other aspects of science and society were not worth the price of a few geometric buildings.

Don't artificially project modern-day extremist Islam back hundreds of years onto what was at that time a very different society and religion.

 

[aphex]

Some beautiful pics in there

 

[biggestmuff]

Outside of the few pictures of the faceted ceiling, the architecture is plain, bland and boring. The tile work and the colors are really great, though.

 

[acheron]

I've been to the Alhambra in Spain, beautiful example of Islamic architecture.

yes, glad someone brought that up. the Alhambra is fantastic. need to locate some of my pictures (though I'm sure you can probably find better pics online, I'm a shitty photographer )

 

[Sahakiel]

Not a fan of mosaics or ornate pageantry. Always reminds me of bathroom tile (I blame the American upbringing).
But those dusk shots. Love the colors.
A couple of the terraces or courtyards... very nice.

 

[0roo0roo]

Don't artificially project modern-day extremist Islam back hundreds of years onto what was at that time a very different society and religion.

you don't have to, the foundation for the oppressive ideology were laid from day one. if you think people had freedom of conscience back then you are out of your mind. you woulnd't get a job never mind into trades/higher education without wearing the cover of the favored religious party of the time. much like how everyone had to be a nazi to get anywhere in hitlers germany.

anyways look at the achievements of communism

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Sweet pics bro.

Las Vegas needs an Iranian inspired Casino that looks like this. What would it be called?

 

[ElFenix]

Sweet pics bro.

Las Vegas needs an Iranian inspired Casino that looks like this. What would it be called?

Sultan's Harem

obviously that's arabic by way of turkey but americans won't give a crap

 

[The J]

The buildings and tilework in the linked photos are in great condition! I'm curious how much upkeep is required to maintain the state of the buildings like that.

 

[brownzilla786]

you don't have to, the foundation for the oppressive ideology were laid from day one. if you think people had freedom of conscience back then you are out of your mind. you woulnd't get a job never mind into trades/higher education without wearing the cover of the favored religious party of the time. much like how everyone had to be a nazi to get anywhere in hitlers germany.

anyways look at the achievements of communism

Open a book and read about the Ottomans to find how oppressive they were. You really don't know what the hell your talking about.

 

[Koobideh]

There are some very impressive works there, even if I'm not really a big fan of the "intricate bathroom tile" look. Out of curiosity, how many of these are recent constructions? Are most leftovers from Islamic culture's golden age?

None of those buildings are recent. Some were from the Golden Age, but many are also buildings from Seljuk, Timurid or Safavid dynasties.

 

[Koobideh]

If only these cultures put the same value on human life as they do the architecture inspired by the love for their religion. Hell, half the time they don't even respect the splendor of these places as they subject them to explosions based solely on marginal differences of belief (Sunni vs. Shiite).

We as a people (Americans) have all but marginalized our hate groups (KKK, etc.), but Islamic societies seem to almost revere theirs.

I agree that the architecture is amazing, so it is sad that in many of these places, absolute hatred of non-Muslims and Americans is so pervasive. A truly enlighted culture would refute the leaders who preach hatred in these places.

Please don't speak about other cultures if you don't know a thing about them.

Iranians are some of the most loving and peaceful people in the world. They are nothing like what the American media portrays them to be.

Non-Muslims and Americans are not hated in Iran. There are plenty of non-Muslims living in Iran who don't get any problems from the rest of the population. I am one of them, seeing as I am Iranian but don't belong to any religion, and I can tell you now that Iranians are more tolerant than most people in the world. In fact I'd say Americans are much more intolerant than Iranians, and even the religious Iranians.

It seem as though you don't even pay attention to world events. If that is the case (which it is) and you're ignorant, then why insist on talking? Have you not been paying attention to what has been happening in Iran recently? There have been anti-government protests in Iran in the MILLIONS recently.

Next time if you've got nothing intelligent to say, then don't say a thing! Ignorance is NOT a bliss! It is one of the most vile things in the world!

 

[skyking]

Welcome to the forums.
Many people don't realize just how "westernized" Iran became in the last century. I put that in quotes because it includes both the bad and the good.

 

[Koobideh]

Something interesting for you. Your reference to math reminded me of it. All that Islamic Domed architecture that is so predominate in Mosques is actually Christian in origin. The first domed mosque (Ayasofya Mosque) is in Istanbul and was built between 532 and 537 at the order of the Emperor Justinian 1st as the Cathedral Hagia Sophia. The two original architects of the structure are described as a physicist and a mathematician. When Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into the Ayasofya Mosque. Historians generally agree that this structure was the protoype for the domed architecture used in the classic mosque design as seen in the temple on the mount for example. The architecture is a product of the region not the religion and is ancient in origin not to mention spectacularly beautiful.

I'm not sure if the domes used a lot in Islamic architecture are of Christian origin. I'm not completely disregarding this theory, but it is known that a lot of Islamic architecture and civilization is influenced by the Sassanids, which were the dynasty ruling Iran at the time (their religion was Zoroastrianism, not Islam though). Sassanid architecture also made use of domes.