ARCHITECTURE

IN SPAIN
AG USTI N, C HARL ENE
B E R G A N I O, R O N N A H
Andalusia is a large autonomous
region of hills, rivers and farmland
bordering Spain’s southern coast. It
was under Moorish rule from the
8th-15th centuries
MOORISH ARCHITECTURE

• Moorish architecture is a variation of Islamic architecture.

• 8th century to 15th century
• Moorish architecture was influenced by Arab Muslim cultural heritage, Berber culture of North
Africa, the Visigoth cultural heritage in Iberia as well as the architectural styles of Western
Europe and the Byzantine Empire.
• Was recognizable by its use of horseshoe arches, courtyards, large domes, decorative and
highly colorful tile work and the beautiful honeycomb vaults.
GEOGRAPHICAL

• It developed as a group of people of Islamic faith spread from the Middle East to the Maghreb,
an area which included parts of North Africa and Spain.
GEOLOGICAL

• During this period, they built many stone and masonry buildings which featured distinct
elements of Muslim architecture and design.
• The climate of the region influenced the building materials used: tile, marble, adobe brick,
clay and plaster.
• Tiled wainscoting in colorful geometric patterns could be found in the majority of the rooms
and mosaic patterns were created with pebbles.
CLIMATIC

In Spain there are, broadly speaking, five types of climate:

• - the climate of the Atlantic coast, cool, humid and rainy;
• - central plateau, with relatively cold winters and hot summers ;
• - the Mediterranean climate of the southern and eastern coastal regions (see Barcelona, Balearic Islands,Valencia,
Málaga), mild and sunny;
• - the mountainous climate of the Pyrenees and the Sierras, more or less cold depending on altitude;
• - finally, the almost African climate of Andalusia, mild in winter and very hot in summer.
• Therefore, Spain is not always warm and sunny as you might think.
SOCIAL

The impact the Moors had on Spain can still be seen today. From the architecture to the
language, and even the agriculture
• Language
-Moors’ Arabic language became intertwined with Spanish
• Technology
-New technology was introduced, such as the Arabic numeral system, the astrolabe, and their
irrigation system
HISTORICAL
• This group of people, who later became known as the Moors, brought their Muslim faith with them as
they conquered parts of southern Europe and even moved into parts of the Western Mediterranean,
including Sicily
• implemented their style of architecture in their houses of worship, or mosques.
• Developed complex irrigation and plumbing systems as well
• One of the most distinctive types of Moorish structures is the alcázar, or fortress complex.
ex. Alhambra- 13th-14th century
• The Muslim religion bans the depiction of living creatures like humans and animals in structures, especially
mosques
ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTERISTICS
ARABESQUE
An elaborate design of intertwined
floral figures or complex
geometrical patterns, mainly used
in Islamic Art and architecture.
HORSEHOE ARCH
One of the most distinctive
elements of Moorish architecture
is the horseshoe arch, an arch
with a rounded top that bends
ever-so-slightly inward at the side
 CUSPED ARCHES
Cusped arches are arches with
circular shapes (called cusps or
foils) cut into its interior (called its
intrado)

This grotto, part of the Cathedral of Cordoba,

includes cusped arches.
 MURQARNAS
Another architectural element you
can find in Moorish structures is a
distinct-looking, decoratively
carved, honeycombed vault called
a murqarnas.
Muqarnas ceiling decoration
in Alhambra Palace.
 P R AY E R H A L L
Prayer hall, where traditional
Muslim prayers take place, is the
most important element of Masjids
(mosques).

The prayer hall in The Cathedral of Cordoba.

 DOME
Dome, in architecture,
hemispherical structure evolved
from the arch, usually forming a
ceiling or roof.

Dome of Cathedral of Cordoba

ARCHITECTURAL
EX AMPLES
G R E AT M O S Q U E
OF CORDOBA
• Prime example of Moorish
architecture

• Dates back to 8th century

 A L H A M B R A PA L A C E
G R A N A D A , S PA I N
• Constructed in 13th and 14th centuries.

• It is a huge palace complex.

ALJAFERIA
PA L A C E I N
Z A R AG O Z A
• Dates back to the 11th
century.
REFERENCES

• https://classroom.synonym.com/the-evolution-of-islamic-arches-12087196.html
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/moorish-architecture-history-characteristics.html
• https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/moorish-art/?fbclid=IwAR35kENQEo8PP2E3h3V2OBWTnn_hZwkGAxedA0ATe4VGK5kvneC4WVWb2k8
• https://www.britannica.com/technology/cusp-architecture
• https://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-architecture/medieval-architecture-history/moorish-
architecture/?fbclid=IwAR0NIUJqBhAwlB4zl9kY36XFMPGAfBKzRQF2f3ptbwWBKhKwH9ytsFoUrTo
• https://mvslim.com/from-architecture-to-technology-how-the-moors-of-spain-influenced-todays-society-
2/?fbclid=IwAR3SsuDkEDQCtmNdRZhD4alOi1yRy74iD1zmguxiPEPi68Tant2PviV6akE
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/moorish-architecture-history-
characteristics.html?fbclid=IwAR2OFtvXCRA5xXsjJihbdWWRp60xkyDZDpHw39TjJTeGdrJfmGy_noy4SfY
• https://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Spain.htm?fbclid=IwAR221ttVxROfj6aFg1WsS4ZQ0FulDPaXCIi_8munit-WojNla47U8ncfRh0
• https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/spain?fbclid=IwAR2lnj6WW8-CD3W_CGn4AQXWAabB4jQHmm08jnJRrvxqjdEwWG7FncFe0J8