Western Islamic Architecture: History and Style

posted on: Sep 18, 2024

By Liam Nagle / Arab America Contributing Writer

Western Islamic Architecture refers to an architectural style that was created by the inhabitants of the various Muslim caliphates, emirates, and other empires that have existed from the 700s even to today. The architectural style can be mostly seen in western parts of the Arab world – particularly in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, but it was also prevalent on the Iberian Peninsula while it was under Muslim control. Although it is sometimes referred to as “Moorish architecture,” this term has been contested or considered outdated due to the potential for negative implications. Nevertheless, the architectural style has a wide influence, being particularly known for its geometric and arabesque characteristics while also maintaining its design philosophy of emphasizing the interior of buildings rather than their exteriors. As such, this article will go over the history as well as the general design philosophy of Western Islamic Architecture and its differences from other Islamic styles.

History

The term “Moorish Architecture” comes from the European term “Moor” that was applied to Muslims – including Arabs, Berbers, as well as Muslim Europeans. Given that no one really self-identifies as a “Moor” or as “Moorish”, as well as the term’s derogatory usage during times such as the Crusades and the Reconquista to mean “infidel”, the term’s application to Western Islamic Architecture has been a source of some debate. In its place, the term “Moorish Architecture” has generally been replaced by terms such as “architecture of the Islamic West” or has instead been divided into smaller branches such as “Hispano-Moresque” or “Hispano-Maghrebi” architecture.

The architectural style really started in the 700s as the Muslim caliphates expanded further west into northwestern Africa and Iberia. Along the way, the preexisting architectural styles in these areas – such as those developed by the Romans, Byzantines, Visigoths, and Berbers – were combined with the Islamic styles that were found in the Middle East. This fusion developed predominantly in various major cities across the region such as Córdoba, Kairouan, Marrakesh, Seville, Granada, and Tlemcen.

Examples

The Iberian Peninsula is packed with Western Islamic Architecture. Córdoba, which acted as the capital of Muslim-ruled Iberia, was one of the first and one of the most famous cities to use this style. Considered the oldest Muslim building in Spain, the Great Mosque of Córdoba was an early example of Western Islamic Architecture, having been constructed in 785 and later added onto in 836. Another famous example of this architectural style on the Iberian Peninsula is the Alhambra and Generalife. The Alhambra, whose construction started in 1238, was a palace and fortress used by the rulers of the Emirate of Granada. The Generalife, its accompanying summer palace, was built in the latter half of the 1200s. Interestingly, in spite of the Reconquista and the Christian reclamation of the peninsula, the buildings were largely spared and were sometimes even used by European rulers!

Morocco is also home to a large variety of Western Islamic Architecture, having served as the capital of three different Muslim empires. One of its most famous buildings is the Kutubiyya Mosque, the largest mosque in the city of Marrakesh. Completed in the late 1100s, the building is most known for its minaret tower that stands 77 meters high. Another area with a lot of Western Islamic Architecture is Tunisia, with its most famous example likely being the Great Mosque of Kairouan. The mosque itself endured several demolitions and reconstructions throughout its existence from 670 onwards, with its current design having been finalized in 866.  A similar building was constructed in the neighboring country of Algeria, which constructed the Great Mosque of Tlemcen in 1082.

Style and Features

There are several features of Western Islamic Architecture that stand out – namely, the horseshoe arches, riads, square minarets, and the various arabesque and geometric styles that were employed. The horseshoe arch was particularly developed by those in the Western Islamic world. Sometimes referred to as the “Moorish arch”, this arch followed the same pattern as other arches, but the two sides pinch together towards the top-middle section in the shape of a horseshoe before continuing straight forwards. Riads are another feature of Western Islamic Architecture, which are a type of courtyard garden. The riads have four sides, each with a path that leads to the center of the courtyard, which in turn typically has a fountain. However, like much Islamic architecture, there is widespread use of geometric motifs across the exterior and interior surfaces. Interestingly, unlike other forms of Islamic architecture, there is a general lack of curvature within Western Islamic Architecture. The minarets, in particular, are usually square in shape, while most minarets found elsewhere in the Islamic world are usually circular. Additionally, there is a distinct lack of domes within this style. Instead, many rooftops and other structures are triangular or pyramidal in shape, rather than circular, showing a clear divergence from more traditional Islamic styles.

Conclusion

It is clear that this style has had a profound influence in northwestern Africa and even the Iberian Peninsula. Europe, instead of rejecting and demolishing the buildings, even chose to use them for their own inhabitants. Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia even continue to use the styles when creating buildings.  For example, the Hassan II Mosque in Morocco, which was just constructed in 1993, actually follows a similar style and, to the untrained eye, might seem to be much older. This tradition, having started in the 700s, continues – and who knows how long it will go on for!

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