Muqarnas
Muqarnas are a form of architectural ornamented vaulting, the "geometric subdivision of a squinch, or cupola, or corbel, into a large number of miniature squinches, producing a sort of cellular structure", sometimes also called "honeycomb" vaults from their resemblance to these. They are used for domes, and especially half-domes in entrances and apses, mostly in traditional Islamic and Persian architecture. When some elements project downwards, the style may be called mocárabe; these are reminiscent of stalactites, and may be called "stalactite vaults".
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muqarnas
Connected Sites
| Site | Rationale | Link |
| Arab-Norman Palermo | Cappella Palatina | |
| Armenian Monastic Ensembles | St Stepanos: a rather nice Muqarna above the entrance | |
| Cordoba | Cúpula de mocárabes, Sala de los Abencerrajes -Mezquita de Córdoba. | |
| Gonbad-e Qâbus | stalactites works (moqarnass) of the entrance (nom file) | |
| Granada | Alhambra | |
| Hill Forts of Rajasthan | Amber Fort | |
| Historic Cairo | Sultan Hassan Mosque: portal and mausoleum | |
| Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi | The intrados of the domes is decorated in alabaster stalactites (muqarnas). (AB ev) | |
| Medina of Tunis | Kasbah Mosque: "Above and in front of the mihrab is a dome sculpted in intricate muqarnas (stalactite-like decoration). This decorative technique was common in more western regions of North Africa but the muqarnas dome of this mosque is almost unique in Ifriqiya (Tunisia) and was unparalleled in other Hafsid architecture" | |
| Meidan Emam, Esfahan | Shah Mosque | |
| Qutb Minar | ||
| Safi al-Din Ensemble in Ardabil | ||
| Samarkand | Shah-i-Zinda | |
| Selimiye Mosque | The entrance portal to the mosque's prayer hall has more typical muqarnas canopy (wiki) | |
| Soltaniyeh | ||
| Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia | "wooden muqarnas (three-dimensional “honeycomb” Islamic decorations) .. form the capitals of columns" (AB ev) |
Suggestions?
Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Muqarnas?
A connection should:
- Not be "self evident"
- Link at least 3 different sites
- Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
- Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
- Be explained, with reference to a source