Knowra Moorish architecture Moorish architecture Moorish architecture is the architectural tradition developed by Muslim societies in North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. It is known for horseshoe arches, geometric ornament, courtyards, and intricate tilework.
Horseshoe arch : An arch whose curve extends inward beyond a semicircle, narrowing its opening near the springing points. Its pinched profile is one of the tradition’s most recognizable architectural forms.
Hypostyle hall : A large interior space whose roof is supported by numerous columns or pillars. The repeated supports of hypostyle halls create expansive prayer spaces, as at Córdoba.
Umayyad architecture : Architecture patronized by the Umayyad dynasty, whose rule extended from the Middle East into Iberia. Umayyad building practices contributed early forms and precedents to western Islamic architecture.
Alhambra : A palace and fortress complex in Granada built and expanded under the Nasrid dynasty. Its courtyards, inscriptions, tilework, and water features exemplify Nasrid palace design.
Ottoman architecture : The architectural tradition of the Ottoman Empire, known for domed mosques, central plans, and monumental complexes. Its characteristic domes and imperial building culture differ from western Islamic traditions.
Muqarnas : A three-dimensional ornamental vaulting system built from small niches or cells arranged in tiers. Muqarnas turns transitions between walls, vaults, and domes into intricate sculptural surfaces.
Qibla : The direction toward the Kaaba in Mecca, faced by Muslims during prayer. Mosque plans orient the prayer space toward the qibla, shaping the placement of the mihrab.
Great Mosque of Córdoba : A major mosque in Córdoba begun under Umayyad rule in the eighth century and later expanded. Its arcades and successive expansions are central to the history of architecture in al-Andalus.
Great Mosque of Kairouan : A historic mosque in Kairouan, Tunisia, founded in the seventh century and substantially rebuilt in later periods. Its hypostyle prayer hall and courtyard show a major North African mosque tradition.
Persian architecture : The architectural traditions of Iranian societies, including distinctive iwans, domes, gardens, and tilework. Persian architecture shares Islamic contexts but developed distinct regional forms and histories.
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