AHI 1E Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Mihrab, Portico
Document Summary
Umayyad building campaign: important, showy buildings that showed umayyad dynastic style. Mount moraya was taken over for buildings. The function of the dome of the rock at the time is unclear. The depictions/ inscriptions are different from imperial byzantine empire. The dome of the rock is not a mosque. The dome of the rock is the site believed to be from where the prophet ascended to heaven. They built a great mosque of damascus: son of a caliph built it. Both father and son made the plans for this in a unified way. Its function was to create a place of gathering where government buildings/residence of the caliph are close by to the mosque. General features: large rectangular open space with a courtyard, covered area where congregation takes place on fridays. Becomes a great iconic place: political and urban influence (in the middle of the central city) the structure is embedded into daily life.
