Islamic
Architecture
(7th-10th
Century)
KHORASANI STYLE
Pre-Islamic
Design
Iran's pre-Islamic architecture, in view of the
surviving works is evident in many structures. Tendency toward high ceilings
and numerous pillars and carvings on stone walls are among the features of
ancient Iranian architecture. "Four Gardens" and square-shaped
structures are also among other characteristics of this architecture.
In the first century of the Hijra, the
Khorasani style dominated Iran's architecture. What is clear about the culture
of that period is that the cultural and literary transformations mostly
happened in Khorasan. From here Islamic architecture and art found its way to
other places in Iran. If we take a precise look at these constructions, we can
see similar features.
In the Khorasani style, building luxurious and huge
structures came to an end and rather more simple constructions were emerged.
(References : http://english.irib.ir/radioculture/art/architecture/item/76629-iranian-culture-and-architecture-khorasani-style)
Mosque
The first architecture of Iranian
mosques was modeled on the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
History shows, the place of the Prophet's
Mosque was bought by Prophet Mohammad (blessings upon him and his progeny).
Then he instructed to quarry stone from the mountain nearby and put them on
each other to make walls. The height of the Mosque's wall was as high as the
tallest man in Medina when he raises his hands up in the sky.
(References : http://english.irib.ir/radioculture/art/architecture/item/76629-iranian-culture-and-architecture-khorasani-style)
Fahraj
Jame Mosque
Fahraj Jame Mosque is located near the city of Yazd which is
the oldest mosque in Iran. This
place has been a mosque in the past which had been built in the first years of
the arrival of Islam in Iran.This is because, the existence of the Mihrab or
prayer niche and its internal simplicity and by observing the direction of
Qiblah. Fahraj Jame Mosque is simple and beautiful work with big bricks the
façade of which had been built from mud.
(Reference : http://fouman.com/Y/English_Persian_History_Glossary-Khorasani%20style%20(Iranian%20architecture).htm
)
The Design of Fahraj Jame Mosque
The mosque primarily
consists of an internal courtyard, vaulted sanctuary and arcades, and a clay
minaret. It is largely built of sun-dried, unfired clay tiles and mud bricks.
Its Shabestan has three entrances the middle
one of which is bigger. In northern part, there are four platforms which are
linked together with corridors. The cover of the ceiling is a simple dome and
the Mihrab has been built toward the Ka'bah in the direction of holy Mecca.
The internal facades are near
symmetrical and consist of three arched bays defined by thick piers, partly
relieved by vertical niches.
(Photo above shows -Vaulted
sanctuary arcades of the internal courtyard)
The court's roofline is uninterrupted and a
decorative cornice emphasizes horizontality that is challenged by the mosque's
minaret and arched silhouette of barrel vaults over the jamaat khana (main
prayer hall).
The roofing system is made up of
five linear vaults oriented east-west, three of which are interrupted by the
central courtyard.
The minaret added to the mosque later in the 10th century is
also one of the earliest extant examples of its type, with the minaret at Nayin.
The minaret is built as a tapering cylinder with an internal spiral staircase
lit by slits that form a regular pattern on the minaret's external elevation.
(Photo above shows-A view of the
minaret from the internal courtyard)
(photo above shows- The tapering
mud minaret with its projecting balcony)
-The mosque design's simplicity and
lack of ornamentation have denied it the public attention and preservation
efforts deserved by a building emblematic of so pivotal a stage in Iranian
Islamic architecture and heritage. The mosque represents a little documented
innovation in Islamic architecture that was soon lost to the dominant four-iwan
prototype patronized by the Seljuks in the eleventh century.
The style of the Khorasani
architecture continued until the end of Samanid era in 389 Hijra or 999 AD in
Central Asia and Iran, especially in Khorasan and other parts of Iran, Numerous
monuments were built in this style. The remaining works are often mosques which
some elaborate works and interior decorations were added to them in the process
of time. The Jameh mosques of Ardestan, Nayeen and Nairiz are among the most
important constructions of this historic period.
(References: http://iranian-architect.blogspot.com/2011/04/title-iranian-architecture-architecture.html
In relation to Islamic Principles:
1.
Architecture as
Tawhid. (Unity and Uniquity)
This building relates to this
principle in the sense of blessing someone special. The place of the Prophet's
Mosque was bought by Prophet Mohammad (blessings upon him and his progeny). It
unites people who respected and was devoted to Prophet Mohammad. People gather
here to give their blessings to the Prophet.
2.
Architecture of
Ithiram: (Respect)
The
decorative styles on the minaret of the
building show markings of one who respects Allah and so forth respects the
prince.
3.
Architecture with Ikhlas: (Sincerity)
This
building has the space construct of the absence of human imaginary & idols.
The building is an empty space but has no figures of human bodies or the prince
itself. It also has art consists images but with sublime silence in contemplation
that is projecting soul thru’ its patterns. It also has geometric shapes as
stated in the previous principle.
4.
Architecture as
pursuit of ilm.(Knowlegde)
Architecture of Inscriptions that will be written on the walls.
This creates calligraphy of the Arabic language and it shows that is a sacred
language
هذا القصر العالي – لامير شمس المعالي –
الامير قابوس ابن وشمگير – امر به بنائه في حياته – سنه سبع و تسعين – و ثلثمائه
قمريه و سنه خمس و سبعين و ثلثمائه شمسيه which means:
"This tall
palace for the prince Shams ul-Ma'ali, Amir Qabus ibn Wushmgir ordered to build
during his life, in the year 397 the lunarHegira, and the year 375 the solar Hegira"
5.
Architecture for Iqtisad: (Balance)
This relates architecturally to the anonymous external
facades of Islamic buildings. Its balance of light and proportion, it also has
the sense of its heart and soul compared to its body. The building was built in
memory of someone and therefore has a meaning and the patterns on the walls
show balance as well.The balance also shows in its proportional & geometric
analysis of the ground plan.
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