Author |
Share Topic Topic Search Topic Options
|
Mila
Tsar
Retired AE Moderator
Joined: 17-Sep-2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4030
|
Quote Reply
Topic: Your Favorite Mosques Posted: 06-Dec-2005 at 20:36 |
your favorite MOSQUES
Share some photographs and information
about your favorite mosques. Try to focus on mosques from your own
country so that we get to see and learn about some of the most
beautiful Islamic buildings from around the world. If not, we'll end up
having 10,000 photographs and paragraphs dedicated to Mecca and the
Golden Horn - but feel free to choose from mosques outside your
country if you try your hardest not to detail a mosque already chosen
by someone else!
Please, do not post if you
cannot provide some basic information about the mosque and a
photograph. We've already had threads where we've mentioned the name of
mosques, or posted a photograph of a mosque - so in this thread, lets
try to go into a little more detail!
Hadzi-Alija MOSQUE
The Hadzi-Alija Mosque was built in 1562
in the village of Pocitelj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pocitelj was an
important fortress and, by all accounts, a thriving community at the
time and so a significant amount of resources were expended to ensure
it had a mosque of superior quality to anything a settlement of its
size and isolation would normally have.
The mosque was built quite narrow and very tall compared to mosques
from the same era elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is because
Pocitelj is built into a steep and rocky mountainside and in order to
give the building the size and stature it needed to be worthy of its
purpose, the architects were forced to build upwards.
The Turkish writer Evliya Celebi passed through Pocitelj in 1664 and
wrote in his travel account about the town's principal mosque:
"There is a tall cypress tree in its
courtyard. This shining mosque was erected by a forebear of our lord
Ibrahim Aga. Alongside the town walls, beside the water, his honored
brother built a public kitchen (imaret) which distributes free bread
and soup to needy inhabitants day and night. On Thursday evenings, it
distributes spiced meat and savory and sweet rice dishes. The houses of
the town are built one above the other, facing west towards the river.
There is an abundance of walnut trees here. Since the climate is mild,
fruit grows better here than in other towns."
Evliya also mentions a clock tower, which he thought had a bell "heavier and clearer than any other in Bosnia and Herzegovina" and was, according to legend, brought from Crete.
When the bell tolled the hours for Pocitelj in calm weather, it could
be heard as far away as the towns of Capljina and Gabela, probably
resounded from the stone into that far distance.
Of course the mosque was completely destroyed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Today, the Hadzi-Alija Mosque has been rebuilt and is the centre of
community life in Pocitelj. The village is home to roughly 200 people,
two thirds of its pre-war population. During the days of Yugoslavia,
Pocitelj hosted an important art colony in which more than 2,000
artists from across Europe participated. This art colony was re-opened
in 1999 and Pocitelj is one again and thriving settlement, even as it
rebuilds.
|
[IMG]http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/9259/1xw2.jpg">
|
|
Mila
Tsar
Retired AE Moderator
Joined: 17-Sep-2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4030
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 06-Dec-2005 at 21:03 |
careva MOSQUE
In 1461, a man named Isa-bey Isakovic
looked out across the Miljacka River Valley and decided he would found
a city in that gentle, and beautiful place - a city that would grow to
be so magnificent, none would be its equal.
So he chose to build his palace ( saray) in that valley ( ovasi) and for more than 30 years kept adding magnificent new buildings and architectural wonders, caring for his sarayovasi
as though it were a beloved child. In addition to building a bridge
across the Miljacka River, he constructed a hotel for travellers,
numerous shops for tradesmen, private homes for settlers, and a
magnificent mosque.
This mosque, the first in the whole of the Miljacka River Valley, he
named in honor of the Sultan Suleiman I of the Ottoman Empire and as
his sarayovasi grew into the
city of Sarajevo, every stage in its development was witnessed by the
mosque, its minaret standing strong across the duration of the Ottoman
Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Yugoslavia, and Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
As the oldest mosque in Sarajevo, the
Careva Mosque holds a special place in the hearts of Bosniaks. While it
may not be as large as the Gazi Husref-bey's Mosque, or as elegantly
beautiful as the Ferhadija Mosque, or even as fantastically adorned as
the Alipasina Mosque - it is the oldest and it was the very beating
heart that grew the sarayovasi settlement into the city of Sarajevo.
Edited by Mila
|
[IMG]http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/9259/1xw2.jpg">
|
|
sdavidr
Knight
Joined: 01-Dec-2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 80
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 06-Dec-2005 at 22:39 |
One of the famous Andalusi mosques : Aljama Mosque or "la Mezquita de Cordoba" Source: Wikipedia Old drawings : Universidad de Navarra The construction of the Mezquita (originally the Aljama Mosque) lasted for over two centuries, starting in 784 A.D. under the supervision of the emir of Cordoba, Abd ar-Rahman I, who used it as his palace and named it after his wife. The Mosque underwent numerous subsequent changes: Abd ar-Rahman III ordered a new minaret, while Al-Hakam II, in 961, enlarged the plan of the building and enriched the mihrab. For unknown reasons, the Mihrab does not point towards Mecca (as it does in every other mosque). The last of the reforms was carried out by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir in 987. The most significant alteration was the construction of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the middle of the structure. Artisans and architects continued to add to the existing structure until the late 18th century. Muhammad Iqbal was the first Muslim to pray in the Mezquita after its closure for Islam. Old drawings
Edited by sdavidr
|
____________________________
|
|
Cyrus Shahmiri
Administrator
King of Kings
Joined: 07-Aug-2004
Location: Iran
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6240
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 05:21 |
There are many historical mosques in Iran
Nasir-al-Molk Mosque in Shiraz:
|
|
|
sedamoun
Baron
Joined: 18-Oct-2005
Location: Sweden
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 480
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 05:53 |
The Stockholm Mosque
The Hassan II mosque in Casablance, by the water
|
|
|
Jhangora
Chieftain
Joined: 02-Oct-2005
Location: Korea, South
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1070
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 07:11 |
JAMA MASJID {OLD DELHI}
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid of Delhi is the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, Jama Masjid is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The spacious courtyard of the Jama Masjid holds thousands of faithful. Jama Masjid is located on a mound in the heart of the old city and projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. Jama Masjid Mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or "mosque commanding view of the world", the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanbad.
The Jama Masjid was completed under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan. A sum of Rs 10 lakhs was spent on the construction of the Jama Masjid. The Jama Masjid is built on a red sandstone porch, about 30 feet (10 m) from the level of the ground and is about 1400 square yards (1200 m昌) in extent. The Jama Masjid has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by a fleet of steps. The main entrance is on the eastern side facing the red fort. It was probably used by the emperors. The tower of the Jama Masjid is made up of five distinctive storeys. Each one of the storeys has a projecting balcony. The adjoining edifices are beautifully done with calligraphy.
The first three storeys of the Jama Masjid tower are made of red sandstone and the fourth one is made of marble, while the fifth is made of sandstone. The Jama Masjid is covered with intricate carvings and has verses inscribed from the holy Koran. The grand Red fort (Lal Qila) stands on the eastern side of the Jama Masjid. The main prayer hall of the Jama Masjid is made up of high cusped arches and marble domes. The cabinet in the north gate of the Jama Masjid contains a collection of Muhammad's relics - the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.
http://www.culturalindia.net/monuments/jama-masjid.html
Edited by Jhangora
|
Jai Badri Vishal
|
|
DayI
Sultan
Joined: 30-May-2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2408
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 07:15 |
woohow!!
|
|
|
Beylerbeyi
Chieftain
Joined: 02-Aug-2004
Location: Cuba
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1355
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 14:14 |
Suleymaniye
interior
Sultan Ahmed (a.k.a. Blue Mosque)
interior
Suleymaniye is 16th century, and Sultan Ahmed is early 17th century classical style Ottoman mosques. The first is by Sinan, the second is by Sedefkar Mehmed Aga, of Sinan school. Both mosques are in Istanbul.
Yeni Cami (New Mosque)
is also one of my favourites because of its location. 17th century, in Eminonu, Istanbul.
Edited by Beylerbeyi
|
|
Hamoudeh
Knight
Joined: 06-Dec-2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 75
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 17:23 |
From the ones that I have seen, it would be Masjid al-Azra (the Blue Mosque of Sultan Cemi) in Istanbul Turkey, the Ummawiyy Jama`a l-Kabeer (Great Ummayad Mosque in Damascus in Syria and an astonishing mosque in Aleppo Syria that I shamefully can't remember the name of. Pictures will follow soon insha'allah.
Ma`salam
|
|
|
Afghanan
Chieftain
Durr e Durran
Joined: 12-Jun-2005
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1098
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 18:17 |
All these mosques are so beautiful.
|
The perceptive man is he who knows about himself, for in self-knowledge and insight lays knowledge of the holiest.
~ Khushal Khan Khattak
|
|
Mila
Tsar
Retired AE Moderator
Joined: 17-Sep-2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4030
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 20:37 |
gazi husref bey's MOSQUE
Gazi Husrev-beg's mosque (1530/31) is the most
significant Islamic building in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is distinguished by its
architectural values, varied base, multi dome system and courageously constructive
solution from all other sub-dome mosques built in this country. The prayer area of Gazi
Husrev-beg's mosque is covered by a dome (13 m span and 26 m height), whilst the side
extensions are covered by small domes. These extensions are called tetims and have
separate entrances, and were used for giving shelter to the travelling dervish orders. The
alter (mihrab) is covered by a semi-dome.
The architect
was Persian, Adem Esir Ali, the main architect of the Ottoman Empire at that time. In
the construction of this mosque he applied the early Istanbul style that gives a
recognizable mark to the whole achievement. Stone plastic and stalactite ornaments are an
integral part of the universal values of the mosque. The arabesque was destroyed after the
descent of the Eugen Savojski (1697). It was restored in 1762, but burned down in 1879,
and was restored again in 1886.
Gazi
Husrev-beg's mosque including the fountain (adrvan), Moslem primary school (mekteb), the
room for ritual washing (abdesthana), domed burial sites (turbeti), Gazi Husrev-beg's and
Murad-beg Tardi's harem, abode for the prayer caller (muvekithana), minaret 45 m high
and tower-clock, dominates the market-place and makes its central and largest complex.
With its
presence through the ages this complex affected the construction activities of the
surrounding areas, streets and wards (mahalas). Extensive restoration works have been
executed from 1995 to 1997 since the mosque was damaged during the war 1992/95.
|
[IMG]http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/9259/1xw2.jpg">
|
|
amir khan
Samurai
Joined: 03-Nov-2005
Location: Congo
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 143
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 07-Dec-2005 at 22:06 |
Badshahi Mosque- Lahore, Pakistan
Style - Mughal architecture
Built in 1674 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in his favoured city of Lahore, It is based on the Jamia mosque of Delhi built by his father Shah Jehan. If the father was a passionate lover(Taj Mahal), then the son was a passionate believer, and the Badshahi Mosque was his Taj Mahal.
It stands on the banks of the River Ravi near Lahore Fort, and the complex, together with the Shalimar gardens (410 fountains) repersents the peak of mughal architecture in Pakistan.
It was once the largest mosque in the world (capacity-60,000), and is still the 2nd largest in the subcontinent.
It has a museum housing relics of the Prophet(pbuh), his daughter and Hazrat Ali.
Badshahi mosque- river view
Elevated Dome View
Badshahi Mosque Arch Detail
Badshahi Mosque-Lahore (Arabian Nights View)
Shah Faisal Mosque-Islamabad, Pakistan
Style- Modern Islamic
Built in 1986, and designed by Turkish architect- Vedat Dalokay, the mosque is among the largest in the world (capacity 100,000), and largest in the subcontinent.
The design is based on a traditional Arabian Tent and Turkish style minarets. The mosque complex layout is also influenced by Ottoman style.
The minaret proportions correspond to the Kaaba. In the architects own words "I tried to capture the spirit, proportion and geometry of the Kaaba in a purely abstract form. Imagine the apex of the four minarets as a scaled explosion of the four higest corners of the Kaaba. Thus an unseen Kaaba is bounded by the four minarets in a pproportion of height to base akin to Kaaba. If you join the apex of each minaret to the base of the minaret diagonally opposite to it correspondingly, a four sided pyramid shall be bound by these lines at the base side within that invisible cube. That lower level pyramid is treated as a solid body, while the four minarets with their apex complete the imaginary cube of the Kaaba."
Shah Faisal mosque- Islamabad, Pakistan
------------------------------------------------------------ -----------
As a world citizen, my favourite mosque architecture is
1- Masjid Sulemaniye(Sinans masterpiece)- Istanbul,Turkey
2- Al-aqsa-Jerusalem
3-Badshahi mosque-Lahore,Pakistan
4-Mesquita-cordova,Spain
5-Kul sharif-Kazan,Russia
Others are above, largest(apparently) mosque in Europe, Kul Sharif is below
Edited by amir khan
|
|
amir khan
Samurai
Joined: 03-Nov-2005
Location: Congo
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 143
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 08-Dec-2005 at 03:32 |
The mezquita pictures are awesome!
I love those Horseshoe shaped arches and the corinthian type columns.
The overall structure reminds me a little of synagogues I have seen in central europe. Mudejar/shepardic influences?
Other amazing mosques are the great mosque of Damascus, and the Friday mosque of Isfahan, which has an amazing mihrab.
Carved Mihrab of Friday Mosque-Isfahan
Edited by amir khan
|
|
Hamoudeh
Knight
Joined: 06-Dec-2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 75
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 08-Dec-2005 at 13:06 |
pictures of the Masjidu l-Azra, the blue mosque of Sultan Ahmad Cami in Istanbul:
On the left, the last 2 pictures I took when I was travelling through Turkey.
Ma`salam
|
|
|
Afghanan
Chieftain
Durr e Durran
Joined: 12-Jun-2005
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1098
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 08-Dec-2005 at 20:12 |
Although I love the mosques in my own country, this mosque is my all time favorite:
Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque - Brunei
|
The perceptive man is he who knows about himself, for in self-knowledge and insight lays knowledge of the holiest.
~ Khushal Khan Khattak
|
|
amir khan
Samurai
Joined: 03-Nov-2005
Location: Congo
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 143
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 09-Dec-2005 at 04:52 |
For the British Entry, I am sorry but the Saudi Financed Central London Mosque in Regents Rark is not particularly impressive, nor is East London Mosque, Whitechapel.
So In fairness to what can be achieved by dedication, I present to you the Shree Swaminara Hindu Temple of Neasden, North London.
Entirely carved in India, the 3000 tons of Italian Marble and Bulgarian Limestone was first transported there, then carved and brought to london piecemeal, and put together!
The swami says "such buildings are meant to raise the conciousness of civilization"
It was opened in 1995.
Edited by amir khan
|
|
Cyrus Shahmiri
Administrator
King of Kings
Joined: 07-Aug-2004
Location: Iran
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6240
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 09-Dec-2005 at 06:39 |
The Jewel of All Mosques:
Shah Cheragh (The king of Light) Mosque in Shiraz, 12th century, Salghurid period
|
|
|
Beylerbeyi
Chieftain
Joined: 02-Aug-2004
Location: Cuba
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1355
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 09-Dec-2005 at 12:06 |
Hamoudeh,
last mosque in your last picture is not the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet), it is Suleymaniye. See my post above.
Others are above, largest(apparently) mosque in Europe, Kul Sharif is below |
Both Suleymaniye and Sultanahmet are in Europe as well, along with some others in Turkey, such as Sinan's masterpiece Selimiye in Edirne. I am not sure how big Kul Sharif is (btw Kazan looks stunning in that photo), but Ottoman classical mosques are huge. I think Selimiye has the largest dome of them all.
|
|
amir khan
Samurai
Joined: 03-Nov-2005
Location: Congo
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 143
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 09-Dec-2005 at 12:42 |
Kul Sharif
Kul Sharif Interior
Originally posted by Beylerbeyi
Both Suleymaniye and Sultanahmet are in Europe as well, along with some others in Turkey, such as Sinan's masterpiece Selimiye in Edirne. I am not sure how big Kul Sharif is (btw Kazan looks stunning in that photo), but Ottoman classical mosques are huge. I think Selimiye has the largest dome of them all.
|
I thaught the ottoman mosques were larger, which is why I showed my reservations in that post, but websites below seem to imply Kul Sharif is larger. I dont know, but its dimensions are given in the first link below. Perhaps someone can comment.
Incidently I saw an hour long program on BBC tv a while back about the suleymaniye which showed it in all its glory and complemented it as Sinans masterpiece. Now I hear there is another one in Edirne, how could they produce so many! One of those alone is amazing.
Kudos to the Ottomans!
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/russianchronicles/2005/10/ka zan_the_mosqu.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qolsharif_mosque
Edited by amir khan
|
|
amir khan
Samurai
Joined: 03-Nov-2005
Location: Congo
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 143
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 09-Dec-2005 at 13:35 |
A new mosque at london olympics site 2012 could be largest when it is built.
http://acage.org/news/?day=11272005&id=0003
|
|