Masjid Types: Iwan and Multi-Domed Mosques

Iwan Mosques

• Definition: A vaulted hall with walls on three sides, completely open on the fourth side.

• Origin: Persian.

• Geographical Concentration: Primarily found in Iran and Western Central Asia.

• Architectural Development: Developed out of earlier hypostyle mosques.

Example: Friday Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

• Historical Context:

  • Isfahan was the capital of Iran under the Seljuks.

  • Seljuks: Nomadic people from Central Asia who took over the Abbasid caliphate, effectively ruling in their name.

  • The complex itself was established in the late $700s$ and has undergone rebuilding.

  • First Ewans were built in the late $11^{th}$ and early $12^{th}$ centuries.

• Layout and Structure:

  • Originally a hypostyle mosque, characterized by numerous columns (e.g., in the Haram section).

  • Features a central courtyard.

  • During the $11^{th}$ and $12^{th}$ centuries, Ewans were added on the cardinal axes (North, South, East, West) around the central courtyard.

  • This arrangement creates an impressive space punctuated by large vaulted chambers on each side.

• South Ewan (Key Features):

  • Associated with the Qibla (the wall facing Mecca).

  • Includes a domed chamber, which likely served as an enclosure for the ruler (or vizier).

  • Decoration (Muqarnas): Both the interior and exterior ceilings are adorned with ornamental vaulting called muqarnas ($m.u.q.a.r.n.a.s$).

    • Muqarnas are nested, almost honeycomb-like shapes that form the vault, distinct from barrel or groin vaults seen in medieval European architecture.

  • Crowned by two towers or minarets.

  • Features highly complicated geometrical ornamentation in the spaces behind the vaulting.

Multi-Domed Mosques

• Development: Evolved from earlier domed churches, such as Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

  • Hagia Sophia: Was transformed into a mosque after the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in $1453$.

• Signature Feature: Defined by their large, prominent domes.

• Geographical Concentration: Primarily confined to Asia Minor (the region around Greece, especially Turkey).

Example: Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey

• Historical Context:

  • Edirne was the first capital of the Ottoman Caliphate (before $1453$).

  • After the capture of Constantinople, Edirne became the second capital or a

Iwan Mosques - Definition: A vaulted hall with walls on three sides, completely open on the fourth side. - Origin: Persian. - Geographical Concentration: Primarily found in Iran and Western Central Asia. - Architectural Development: Developed out of earlier hypostyle mosques. #### Example: Friday Mosque, Isfahan, Iran - Historical Context: - Isfahan was the capital of Iran under the Seljuks. - Seljuks: Nomadic people from Central Asia who took over the Abbasid caliphate, effectively ruling in their name. - The complex itself was established in the late $700s$ and has undergone rebuilding. - First Ewans were built in the late $11^{th}$ and early $12^{th}$ centuries. - Layout and Structure: - Originally a hypostyle mosque, characterized by numerous columns (e.g., in the Haram section). - Features a central courtyard. - During the $11^{th}$ and $12^{th}$ centuries, Ewans were added on the cardinal axes (North, South, East, West) around the central courtyard. - This arrangement creates an impressive space punctuated by large vaulted chambers on each side. - South Ewan (Key Features): - Associated with the Qibla (the wall facing Mecca). - Includes a domed chamber, which likely served as an enclosure for the ruler (or vizier). - Decoration (Muqarnas): Both the interior and exterior ceilings are adorned with ornamental vaulting called muqarnas ($m.u.q.a.r.n.a.s$). - Muqarnas are nested, almost honeycomb-like shapes that form the vault, distinct from barrel or groin vaults seen in medieval European architecture. - Crowned by two towers or minarets. - Features highly complicated geometrical ornamentation in the spaces behind the vaulting. ### Multi-Domed Mosques - Development: Evolved from earlier domed churches, such as Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. - Hagia Sophia: Was transformed into a mosque after the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in $1453$. - Signature Feature: Defined by their large, prominent domes. - Geographical Concentration: Primarily confined to Asia Minor (the region around Greece, especially Turkey). #### Example: Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey - Historical Context: - Edirne was the first capital of the Ottoman Caliphate (before $1453$). - After the capture of Constantinople, Edirne became the second capital or a prominent imperial city of the Ottoman Empire. - Built by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Selim II between $1569$ and $1575$. - Layout and Structure: - Features a massive central dome, supported by eight large pillars. - The dome is larger than that of Hagia Sophia, showcasing Sinan's architectural prowess and the Ottomans' ambition to surpass Byzantine achievements. - Surrounded by four slender minarets, which are among the tallest in the Islamic world. - The interior space is exceptionally open and well-lit, designed to create a sense of unity and grandeur. - Decoration: - Adorned with intricate Iznik tiles, known for their vibrant colors and floral motifs. - Features calligraphy and geometric patterns characteristic of Ottoman Islamic art. - The mosque complex includes a madrasa (Islamic school), a covered market (arasta), and a clock house, forming a külliye (a complex of buildings surrounding a mosque).