Architecture is not just a building, a street or a space. Architecture forms a specific theme for a place and gives it its own personality. These details are part of this space and grow with the people who use it. Architecture is considered one of the main factors that affect history through the different shapes, patterns, styles and the way it is built. Each era has its own style, as people design their cities according to constantly changing standards. Religion has played an important role in shaping architecture and representing a culture or different groups of people over the years. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Islamic architecture is an excellent example when it comes to architectural history. It is considered a great architectural movement and has had a long-term impact on our cities, especially in the Middle East and most Islamic countries. As a Muslim from the Middle East, I studied architectural engineering and learned about the history of Islamic architecture, as well as its influence on the future of architecture. In this essay I will talk about how Islamic architecture was involved in the design of many buildings in Europe and particularly in Spain. “Muslims derived their architectural style from the Byzantines, Copts, Romans and Sassanids. Types of Islamic architecture are mosque, tomb, palace and fort. The Islamic architectural style developed shortly after the time of the Prophet Muhammad. An example can be seen with the completion of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. It featured vaulted interior spaces, a circular dome, and the use of decorative designs. The art of building was popular. “The Dome of the Rock, a 7th-century sanctuary in Jerusalem, is the first Islamic building to feature this architectural element. Inspired by Byzantine plans, the octagonal building is topped with a gold-plated wooden dome in the 16th century. Unlike most Islamic domes – which rest on pendants – the dome rests on a drum supported by 16 pillars and columns. “Pendants are tapered structures that allow a circular base for a round or elliptical dome to be placed on a square or rectangular piece. In Islamic architecture, pendants are often decorated with tiles or muqarnas, a type of sculptural decoration. “Islamic architecture prohibits any use of symbolic art such as statues, paintings or other representations of living beings. This is why you won't see family portraits or paintings of people in Muslim homes. The second restriction is the use of expensive materials. Islamic artists therefore work mainly with brass, clay and wood. They learned to decorate objects made with these less expensive materials. One of their design features is an arabesque. Islamic architecture is known for its own unique arches, domes, curves, courtyards and motifs. Spain has been affected by these elements since Muslims and Arabs have lived there for years. Till date, some of these buildings influenced by Islamic architecture still exist and have historical value. The Patio (Spanish Courtyard) is considered one of the ancient spaces with elements related to Islamic architecture. It is known for the relationship that is created between the interior and exterior spaces, as the courtyard connects with both the use of arches and Islamic motifs. “The patio is free from its exact shape and its family context, becauseits elements are expanded to create public spaces in an urban context.” “The Muslim empire in Andalusia was formed between the years 750 and 1031 AD, with the city of Cordoba as its political and intellectual center. The exiled heir to the Damascus Caliphate, Abd al-Rahman, a half-Arab prince born to a Berber mother, whose family was murdered as he narrowly escaped, established his capital here by uniting the different conflicting Islamic tribes who arrived a few decades earlier. Cordoba was prosperous, and welcoming foreigners and funding cultural venues allowed the arts to flourish. Architecture was abundant in the form of gardens, universities, public baths, huge libraries and mosques. The typology of mosques in Muslim culture is extremely important and the presence of ornaments was central to its architecture. “The Mosque of Córdoba is one of the most important vestiges of this period. Built on Roman and Visigothic ruins, the mosque continued to add new layers, receiving additions and modifications from later owners. The mosque was built according to a non-hierarchical plan, as a civic institution for the inhabitants of Córdoba. It is a hypostyle structure; a flat ceiling supported by columns — in this case, a vast grid of columns, creating the impression of endless space. The public part of the mosque is left unadorned and there is no privileged part here, no “center” of the building. The space is not processional, because one is not supposed to follow a certain path or a certain prescribed narrative, but rather a wandering. As the philosophy of Islam says, wherever the worshiper is, for him it is the center of the mosque, the structure and the world. Elaborate ornamentation adds beauty to the space above the public prayer area. Stone horseshoe arches hover above the roof, supporting the roof, arch over arch. They alternate red bricks and white stones, a sort of vaudeville for the senses taking place above you. The Roman aqueducts of Mérida set a precedent for these structures. The horseshoe arch is an element of the indigenous tradition of church building before and after Muslim rule in Spain. Some columns are recycled from ruined churches and Roman civil buildings. In a common practice of Andalusian architecture, these architectural remains were assimilated into the structure, creating a dialogue between the revived indigenous cultures and the newly flourishing culture. “The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, built in the 1300s, is the best known. Its numerous rooms are structured around three open courtyards. The Cour des Myrtes houses a long rectangular pool bordered by hedges. In the center of the inner courtyard of the Lions stands a fountain supported by twelve lions. The lower part of the palace walls are decorated with colorful tiles arranged in geometric patterns. Painted and gilded plaster patterns cover the upper part of the walls. “Throughout world history there has been architecture and works of art that have resonated with the human mind, soul and spirit, but the structures and buildings of Al-Andalus have set the bar high and, by extension, have had an impact on architecture even today. The Great Mosque of Córdoba still stands today as an example of the Islamic architecture of Spain; Alhambra, we can also observe the architectural style of this civilization, and we can even see the art of Al-Andalus in the Seville Cathedral which was once a mosque. In conclusion, these great achievements demonstrate art and knowledge. -making advances in Muslim Spain and still amaze millions of people in the.”