horseshoe arches were an important architectural feature of the great mosque of cordoba.
horseshoe arches were an important architectural feature of the great mosque of cordoba.
horseshoe arches were an important architectural feature of the?
great mosque of cordoba
like most almohad mosques, the mosque is relatively austere and much of its aesthetic effect inside is achieved by the rhythmic repetition of arches in the courtyard and prayer hall. the arches themselves vary slightly in shape and look. most are horseshoe arches, with many of them embellished slightly by the carved outlines of pointed or polylobed arches around them. some of the arches (around the mihrab, for example), are more elaborate polylobed and "lambrequin" (muqarnas-shaped) arches, all commonly found in moorish architecture. some of the pillars of the arches also feature small engaged columns with ornate capitals from the almohad and saadian periods. additionally, in the outer aisles of the mosque (including the galleries around the courtyard) the wall-space around the arches is marked by bands and lines of stucco carved with geometric and arabesque patterns, very similar to those found in the mouassine mosque and bab doukkala mosque from the saadian period.
kasbah mosque (marrakech)
in some mosques like the former great mosque of silves, water tanks or cisterns were built to store and supply water for wudu, the washing ritual performed before prayers. horseshoe arches were a distinctive iberian moor architectural feature. they were commonly used to frame doorways, windows or just as decoration in portuguese mosques. four horseshoe doorways remain that opened into a inner courtyard or sahn remain in mertola mosque. mihrabs, horseshoe arches and door frames were decorated with detailed patterns formed by intertwining lines, known as arabesque. they had patterns of geometric and floral motifs. simple shapes, repeated in symmetrical arrays giving a beautiful artistic finish. unfortunately unlike neighboring spain only a few of these original mosques and religious structures are still standing.
list of former mosques in portugal