12 Mosques That Shaped History and Inspire Awe
The
mosques are much more than praying places. They have been the centers of
community life, learning, art and intense spirituality, over fourteen hundred
years. They are monumental treasures and mute observers of the rise and fall of
the empires, development of those cultures, holding of faith of billions. We
will take you through 12 great historic Mosques that may be described as the
forefathers of the Mosques of today whose stones tell of devotion, power,
resilience, and astonishing beauty. Through this investigation into the
architecture of Islamic monuments and holy places, new landmarks that inform us
about our common human history come into focus..
1. Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque) - Mecca, Saudi Arabia
·
Heart of Islam: Masjid al-Haram is in no way absent
in famous historic mosques. It is the most sacred place in Islam, encircling
Kaaba- the center in which all Muslims pray. Its roots cannot be discussed
without mentioning Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael). Though one
after another century has seen expansion of this structure to cater to millions
of pilgrimages to the site, the essence of the structure, being the Qibla
(Qibla being the direction in which the prayed faces), has not changed. To
watch the Hajj pilgrimage here is an unequalled sight of belief and solidarity.
The modern engineering has been merged with the modern-day architecture that is
in respect to the ancient sanctity.
2. Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet's Mosque) - Medina, Saudi Arabia
·
The Prophet
Sanctuary : The Prophet Sanctuary: Secondly important religious sit in the
Islamic faith and even built by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself, soon after
his migration (Hijra) to Medina in 622 CE. I. I. It is
originally a mere structure which has been magnificently extended over the
course of time. It appeals to millions of pilgrims all around the world because
it contains the tomb (Rawdah) of the Prophet under its green dome, a location
of extreme sacredness and calm. The history of this Mosque is the history of
early Islam as it was the first community, court and religious school. It has
huge spaces of the courtyards and minarets and thus the common identity with
Medina.
3. Masjid al-Aqsa & The Dome of the Rock -
Jerusalem, Palestine
·
Most of the time going to the Masjid al-Aqsa and
The Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem, Palestine Jerusalem: Sacred Complex: These
two structures, in Jerusalem, are commonly spoken of as one, but are
technically separate-they are at the center of the Haram al-Sharif (Noble
Sanctuary), the third holiest location in Islam. Al- Masjid al-Aqsa (The
Farthest Mosque) is extremely important both as the first Qibla and place where
the Prophet journeyed during the night (Isra and Mi Raj). Most of its present
form is Umayyad.
· The
Dome of the Rock: A
magnificent piece of Islamic architecture, one cannot miss its every tourist
draw, its golden-domed beauty and blue ornamental work. It was constructed
under Caliph Abd al-Malik and completed in 691-692 CE it houses the sacred rock
where the Prophet is said to have ascended. It has beautiful mosaics and
geometrical designs which are some of the first and the best of Islam Art.
4. The Great Mosque of Damascus (Umayyad Mosque) - Damascus, Syria
· A Blueprint for Grandeur: Constructed during 705-715 CE by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I on the location of Roman temple and subsequently a Christian basilica, it is one of the oldest and most important mosques in the world till date. It can be considered a prototype to subsequent mosque designs. It has a large courtyard with glorious mosaics of paradisiacal landscapes (some original!), and a prayer hall contains the shrine of John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya).This mosque can be characterized as a masterpiece of a synthesis of Byzantine and early Islamic styles of architecture.
5. The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) - Istanbul, Turkey
·
Ottoman
Opulence: A legendary part of
the Istanbul skyline, with a view of Hagia Sophia. Situated between 1609 and 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I, it is
known by its cascade of six thin minarets and most remarkably by the beautiful
blue IZnik tiles of its interior wall (which gives it its common name). Its
great central dome, semi-domes and its ample courtyard embody the height of
classically inspired Ottoman mosque architecture, created by the most striking
architect, Sedefkar Mehmed Agha..
6. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque - Istanbul, Turkey
· A Monument to Transformation It had been a Byzantine cathedral (537 CE) in the time of Emperor Justinian I, and it served as the largest cathedral in the world almost a millennium. Its technologically radical dome was a borderline engineering feat. In 1453 when Constantinople was captured by the Ottomans under Mehmed the Conqueror, it was converted to a mosque and minarets were added. Used as a mosque until 1935, it then became a museum before again making use of it as a mosque in 2020. It has a layered history, massive size and unique mix regarding Christian mosaics and the Islamic calligraphy, making it one of the most historically important buildings in the world.
7. The Great Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita-Catedral) - Cordoba, Spain
·
Andalusian
Splendor: An awe-inspiring monument to the
glory of the Islamic occupation of Spain (Al Andalus). It was established in 785 CE by Abd al-Rahman I on the
location of a Visigothic church and gradually enlarged during centuries into
one of the largest mosques of the world. It is characterised by the enchanting
woods of more than 850 columns in pairs (red brick and white stone) that hold
the roof. The detail li mbar and mosaic work is amazing. Unique architectural
palimpsest resulted after the Reconquista, in which Renaissance cathedral was
constructed in the middle.
8. Great Mosque of Kairouan - Kairouan, Tunisia
· The Beacon of North Africa This is among the oldest and most vital mosques in Africa; it was established in 670 CE by the Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi but the jubilant building was in large parts built by the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century. It was an important seat of Islamic education and an inspiration in Maghrebi mosque design. It features huge, fortress-like walls, heavy square minaret (one of the oldest intact minarets), enormous courtyard and beautifully designed minbar (pulpit) made of precious wood.The city of Kairouan and the mosque itself signify spiritual importance to a huge degree.
9. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi, UAE
·
Modern
Magnificence: Modern
Magnificence Not ancient, but it should be listed in this category because it
is an amazing, magnificent structure in the scale and art level and being the
symbol of the modern Islamic architecture and openness to other cultures. This
fantastic object is the 21st-century wonder (opened in 2007). It is decorated
with worldwide resources (white Macedonian marble, gold, semi-precious stones),
and a huge hand-knotted carpet is installed, as well as huge, huge chandeliers
that are designed, which, in turn, is designed to impress world leaders. The
design is a perfect amalgamation of Mamluks, Ottoman and Fatimids designs. It
is a monument to the late founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan, and opens to the followers of all faiths.
10. Badshahi Mosque - Lahore, Pakistan
· Mughal Majesty: This is one of the biggest mosques in the world and a beautiful representation of late Mughal architecture commissioned by the sixth Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, in 1671 and finished in 1673. The huge courtyard accommodates 100,000 worshippers. It has ornate floral frescoes and is constructed out of red sandstone with white marble inlay, four huge minarets, and three enormous marble domes.It also has a magnificence that matches the strength of the Mughal Empire in terms of territory.
11. Hassan II Mosque - Casablanca, Morocco
· Where Sea Meets Faith: This architecturally perfect piece work, completed in 1993, is partially over the Atlantic Ocean. It has the tallest minaret in the world of 210 meters. It is constructed of carefully crafted Moroccan work (tiles and zellige, carved cedar wood, marble) in a classical and Moorish design-scale. A prayer hall can have a rooftop that can be opened to sky. It is an incredible representation of secular and spiritual Morocco.
12. Djinguereber Mosque - Timbuktu, Mali
Desert Sanctuary & Scholarly Heart Desert Sanctuary &
Scholarly Heart:The emperor of Mali Empire, Mansa Musa, was considered one of
the richest people in the history of the world and founded it in 1327 after he
returned to this world because of Hajj. It was built by the Andalusian
architect Abu Ishaq al-Sahili, and its original form makes use of mud brick,
palm wood and limestone. It quickly became a major seat of Islam knowledge
inside the historic town of Timbuktu and it had thousands of manuscripts. This
particularity is manifested in its pyramidal minaret and the use of traditional
Sudano-Sahelian architecture, which puts it in the position of a unique and
threatened masterpiece
A Legacy in Stone and Spirit
These 12 renowned historic mosques are only a
tip of the iceberg of the massive and rich heritage of Islamic architectural
environment. At the sacred city of Mecca and Medina, in the learned enclave of
Kairouan and Timbuktu, at the imperial center, of Istanbul and Delhi and the
contemporary wonders of Abu Dhabi and Casablanca, every mosque is a different
tale. They are not only the museums of the past, but dynamic, breathing places
of communion, piety and breathtaking artistic excellence. They are timeless
manifestations of religion, the masterpieces of human creation, and lighthouses
that tie the generations of believers. A visit to the Hindu temples becomes an
eye-opener into the past, history, art, exuberance and the indefatigable human
person in quest of God. It is filled with these magnificent structures and
whether you are interested in Islamic architecture, religious history or just
an amazing spectacle of beauty, there is something for you.
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