| Title |
The Study on the Elements of Architectural Composition and the Arrangement of Qibla in the Great Mosque of Cordoba |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2020.36.9.71 |
| Keywords |
mosque; Cordoba; qibla; Islamic architecture |
| Abstract |
The creation of their own monumental architecture within a century after the birth of Islamic religion is unprecedented in the history of
architecture. The identity of Islamic architecture was completed through the passage of thousands of years with the compromise of various
regional cultures. The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, embraced the architectural tradition in the conquered area, is one of the most
monumental buildings that symbolized the excellence of their faith. In this paper, therefore, we investigated the relationship between the
architectural components of the Great Mosque of Cordoba, which developed into a unique Islamic style and the regional architectural
tradition. We also analyzed the factors that determine the direction of Qibla placement. The Great Mosque of Cordoba, a representative
building of medieval architecture as well as of Islamic architecture, was analyzed as having the following characteristics by accommodating
the local architectural elements and the method of constructing the Christian church during the extension period. The two-tier arcade system
and the alternation of stone and brick colors of arches were induced with reference to the Roman aqueducts in Merida, Spain, The Visigothic
horseshoe arch has become a representative architectural element of Islamic architecture in Spain and North Africa since the construction of
the Cordoba Mosque. They show how Muslims transformed the architectural elements of the conquered regions into their own original
architectural forms. The interior of the building with decorating the three bays in front of the mihrab was extended in the longitudinal
direction so that applied the hierarchical arrangement of Christianity. The cross-arch of the multifoil arch and mukarnas dome, which suggest
to have influenced the development of the rib vault and point arch of the Gothic architecture, seems to be the result of the mutual exchange
between Islam and Christianity. Finally, the qibla of the Cordoba Mosque is about 51° south of Mecca and does not face the Kabba.
Because it is possible to measure the direction of the qibla since the 9th century, thus, they probably built the qibla wall according to the
road direction of the Roman city as the method of Umayyad tradition. |