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Questions and Answers
What shape is the story ending with a balcony on stalactites?
What shape is the story ending with a balcony on stalactites?
- Rectangular
- Wedge-shaped
- Circular (correct)
- Triangular
Why is the structure of the mosque wedge-shaped in plan?
Why is the structure of the mosque wedge-shaped in plan?
- Because the axis of al-Muʿizz Street aligns with Mecca
- Because of the staircase on the left
- Because of the shape of the courtyard
- Because the axis of al-Muʿizz Street does not align with Mecca (correct)
How many aisles does the qibla riwaq have?
How many aisles does the qibla riwaq have?
- Two
- Three (correct)
- One
- Four
What type of arches surround the courtyard?
What type of arches surround the courtyard?
What is the ceiling of the riwaqs covered with, except for the aisle parallel to the qibla wall?
What is the ceiling of the riwaqs covered with, except for the aisle parallel to the qibla wall?
What was the purpose of the row of shops beneath the mosque?
What was the purpose of the row of shops beneath the mosque?
Who built the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
Who built the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the significance of the Mosque of al-Aqmar in Islamic architecture in Cairo?
What is the significance of the Mosque of al-Aqmar in Islamic architecture in Cairo?
What is special about the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is special about the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the orientation of the interior of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the orientation of the interior of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the shape of the portal of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the shape of the portal of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the design of the conch of the niche in the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the design of the conch of the niche in the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is written in the central circle of the medallion on the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is written in the central circle of the medallion on the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the design of the recesses on either side of the main niche on the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the design of the recesses on either side of the main niche on the façade of the Mosque of al-Aqmar?
What is the characteristic feature of Islamic architecture found in medieval buildings?
What is the characteristic feature of Islamic architecture found in medieval buildings?
What is the purpose of muqarnas in medieval Islamic architecture?
What is the purpose of muqarnas in medieval Islamic architecture?
What is the shape of the upper recess in the mosque?
What is the shape of the upper recess in the mosque?
What is the motif found on the lozenge to the left of the niche?
What is the motif found on the lozenge to the left of the niche?
What is the significance of the vase with two plants in the mosque's decoration?
What is the significance of the vase with two plants in the mosque's decoration?
What is the location of the Quranic text inscription on the mosque's façade?
What is the location of the Quranic text inscription on the mosque's façade?
What is the name of the person who built the present minaret above the portal?
What is the name of the person who built the present minaret above the portal?
What is the shape of the recess carved with stalactites in the mosque?
What is the shape of the recess carved with stalactites in the mosque?
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Study Notes
The Mosque of al-Aqmar
- Built in 519 A.H./1125 A.D. during the reign of Caliph al-Amir by vizier al-Ma’mun al-Bataihi
- Situated on the east side of al-Muʿizz Street, to the north of the Fatimid palace
- Known as "al-Aqmar" or "the Moonlit"
Architecture and Design
- Unique and important in Islamic architecture in Cairo
- Façade is richly decorated with lavish stone carvings
- First surviving example of stalactites on a façade decoration
- Plan of the mosque is unprecedented, with the façade aligned with the street and the interior oriented towards Mecca
- Façade wall is thicker on one end than the other, with small rooms occupying the thicker part
Façade Decoration
- Brick-faced with stone and richly decorated
- Portal is in the center of the façade
- Façade divided into three keel-arched niches
- Entrance (portal) projects out of the façade and has a large keel-arched niche
- Conch of the niche is carved with fluted hood radiating from a central medallion like a sunrise or shell motif
Sides of the Main Niche
- Three recesses on both sides of the main niche
- Lower recess: small niche with fluted hood
- Middle recess: rectangular recess carved with stalactites
- Upper recess: small niche with fluted hood flanked by two colonettes
Inscriptions and Motifs
- Two bands of inscriptions on the façade: one at the top with a text referring to Caliph Mustansir, and the other under the conch of the portal with Quranic text
- Corner of the façade is chamfered with the names of Muhammad and Ali
- Decorations include lozenges with geometric carvings and a vase and plant motif, representing Hassan and Husayn
- Niche with a hanging lamp and a closed door may have symbolic meanings
Interior
- Wedge-shaped plan, with axis not aligned with Mecca
- Entrance is a barrel-vaulted entrance with a small space and a room and staircase
- Mosque consists of an open courtyard surrounded by four riwaqs
- Qibla riwaq has three aisles and faces the courtyard with three arches
- Ceiling of the riwaqs is covered with shallow domes, except for the aisle parallel to the qibla wall, which has a flat wooden ceiling
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