Islamic architecture

THE PROPHET’S MOSQUE

The first object that the Muslims built upon the arrival to Medina, after the hijra (Muslim calendar) was the mosque. This object which even today carries the name of Muhammad alejhi sallam, represents most significant model for later buildings, since the main spatial plans were defined in it. This example will have a particular influence on so called „kufi“ mosques from the period of Omejads and Abasids.

The developing way of the Islamic architecture, we can divide in several phases, and each of them consized the localisms on one side and the original characteristics on the other.
With time, a new esthetic and functional solutions developed together with the general civlizational progress, what brought to forming of „the islamic style“ in architecture. It was versatile, spread on a large territory, but in itself concised the ideational unity based on the religiously suggested space, what brought to creation of the specific quality in the interior design.

However, with the first mosques, the sound of the ancient-Eastern fortification architecture was felt. But, for that time, the advanced solution of vertical structures made the important aspects of profiles, which when treating an arch, vault and doom, introduced a new principle of those elements for the purpose of making the original decorative synthesis. Sistematization of the styles of the Islamic architecture can be done by the regions and schools related to certin master’s house. The first phase belongs at the time of the Prophet a.s and four haliphas Ebu Bekr, Omer, Osman and Ali. At that period the qufi-mosque appeared, whose planning scheme will affect the development of all later styles. Therefore, as the initial position for explanation of the start of the Islamic arhitecture, we take the hijra period and the arrival of Muhammad a.s., in Medina, the town that accepted him together with dozens of the refugees exiled from Mecca by their idolaters.

The first object that was built in Medina, just after the Muslims came, was the mosque. In that hard period, when the Islamic community was still weak and when it looked for most effective way in strengthening of faith and collective spirit, the necesity arose for a place of large gathering as for religious and social commitments.

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