Architectural treasure: The oldest Mosque of Egypt | SLICE

Summary

The Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo, built in the 9th century by the Abbasid governor Ibn Tulun, is a masterpiece of Abbasid architecture. Its simple, unadorned design and use of pointed arches mark a significant departure from the Umayyad style. The mosque also features intricate stucco decorations and unique windows, showcasing the artistic evolution of Islamic art during the Abbasid era.

Takeaways

• 🏛 The Ibn Tulun Mosque is a significant architectural achievement from the Abbasid period, showcasing a departure from the Umayyad style with its simplicity and lack of ostentatious decoration.
• 👑 Ibn Tulun, the mosque's commissioner, was an ambitious governor sent by the Caliph to Cairo and was the son of a slave from Samarra, Iraq, reflecting his rise to prominence.
• 🏙️ Upon his arrival in Cairo in 868, Ibn Tulun's vision included the creation of a new city centered around a mosque, which became the Ibn Tulun Mosque.
• 🏗️ The mosque's design was revolutionary, with the directive to avoid using columns and instead utilizing robust piers to support pointed arches, marking a significant innovation in Islamic architecture.
• 🕌 The mosque features a large square courtyard, making it the largest in Egypt, and is devoid of colorful decorations, tiles, or paintings, emphasizing its pure and sober architectural style.
• 🌐 The mosque's design includes 128 unique windows, each different from the others, showcasing intricate geometric shapes and the use of stucco for decoration, a characteristic of Abbasid art.
• 🎨 The use of stucco in the mosque's decoration is a nod to the artistic heritage of the region, with Samarra and Mesopotamia being famous for their stucco work.
• 🌿 The mosque represents a break from the Byzantine-influenced Umayyad art, which was characterized by elaborate mosaics, in favor of a more abstract and minimalist approach.
• 🕊️ The mosque's design encourages movement within its space, with the positioning of windows and arches creating a dynamic experience for those who enter, reflecting the art of movement in architecture.
• 📜 The script also mentions the tomb of Ibn Tulun, which is adorned with stucco decorations and verses from the Quran, highlighting the Abbasid period's emphasis on ornamental richness in mausoleums.
• 🕉️ The mosque and its associated structures serve as a testament to the Abbasid dynasty's influence and the architectural and artistic innovations of the period.

Q & A

In what century was the Ibn Tulun Mosque built?

The Ibn Tulun Mosque was built in the 9th century.

Who was the founder of the Ibn Tulun Mosque?

Ibn Tulun, a young ambitious governor sent by the Abbasid Caliph, founded the mosque.

What architectural style is the Ibn Tulun Mosque considered to represent?

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is considered a jewel of Abbasid architecture and represents a sober and austere architectural style.

How does the Ibn Tulun Mosque differ from Umayyad architecture?

The Ibn Tulun Mosque differs from Umayyad architecture in its simplicity and lack of flamboyance, with no use of colors, tiles, or paintings in its decoration.

What was the significance of the helical minaret in the design of the Ibn Tulun Mosque?

The helical minaret was a unique feature of the mosque in Samarra, Ibn Tulun's hometown, and its inclusion in the design of the Ibn Tulun Mosque marked the Abbasid presence in Egypt.

What was the innovative architectural feature introduced by Ibn Tulun for his mosque?

Ibn Tulun introduced the use of robust piers supporting pointed arches, which was the first instance of pointed arches in Egypt and possibly the oldest in architectural history.

What was the material primarily used in the construction of the Ibn Tulun Mosque?

The primary material used in the construction of the Ibn Tulun Mosque was firebrick, plastered over for a simple and pure appearance.

How did the Abbasids distinguish their Islamic art from the Umayyads?

The Abbasids distinguished their Islamic art by moving away from the elaborate mosaics and Byzantine style of the Umayyads and adopting a more abstract and sober approach.

What technique was used for the decorative elements of the Ibn Tulun Mosque?

Stucco, a mixture of plaster, glue, pulverized marble, slate, lime, chalk, and pigments, was used for the decorative elements of the mosque, allowing for intricate designs and a stone-like appearance.

What is the significance of the 128 windows in the Ibn Tulun Mosque?

The 128 windows in the mosque are all different and demonstrate incredible finesse in their design, alternating geometric shapes carved into the stucco, contributing to the mosque's unique artistic signature.

Where is Ibn Tulun's tomb located, and what is its historical significance?

Ibn Tulun's tomb is located in the city's great cemetery, historically known as the Tomb of the Opposites. It features stucco decorations and verses from the Quran, reflecting the ornamental richness characteristic of Abbasid-era mausoleums.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Ibn Tulun Mosque: Abbasid Architectural Innovation

The first paragraph introduces the historical context of the 9th century, where the Abbasids ruled the Muslim world alongside the Umayyads. It tells the story of Ibn Tulun, a young and ambitious governor sent by the Caliph to Cairo to build a significant monument. The Ibn Tulun Mosque is highlighted as the oldest and largest mosque in Egypt, characterized by its simple and pure architecture, a departure from the Umayyad's flamboyant style. The mosque's construction materials and design, including the absence of columns and the use of pointed arches, are emphasized. This architectural approach was a new direction in Islamic art, inspired by the Iraqi desert and a break from the Byzantine-influenced Umayyad art.

05:01

🎨 Artistic Excellence of Abbasid Stucco Work

The second paragraph delves into the artistic details of the mosque, focusing on the unique stucco work that is a hallmark of Abbasid art. It describes the 128 windows, each different, and the geometric shapes carved into the plaster, which is a mixture of various materials creating a stone-like appearance. The paragraph also discusses the craftsmanship involved in creating the delicate designs and the movement within the mosque, which is considered the essence of architecture. The daily prayers at the mosque and the historical significance of the building during the Abbasid period are also mentioned.

10:04

⚰️ The Legacy of Ibn Tulun and Abbasid Mausoleums

The final paragraph discusses the legacy of Ibn Tulun, who, despite his achievements, is relatively unknown today. It describes his mausoleum, known as the Tomb of the Opposites, and its stucco decorations and Quranic verses. The paragraph also touches on the Abbasid tradition of creating richly ornamented cemeteries and mausoleums, which was a departure from previous practices. The guardian's tradition of placing a cup of water on each tomb as a symbol of eternal life concludes the narrative, emphasizing the enduring impact of the Abbasids on Islamic art and architecture.

Keywords

💡Ibn Tulun

Ibn Tulun was a young and ambitious governor sent by the Abbasid Caliph to Cairo in the 9th century. He is a central figure in the video, as he commissioned the construction of the Ibn Tulun Mosque, which is a significant monument and a key example of Abbasid architecture. His vision for the mosque was to create a new style that was a departure from the Umayyad's flamboyant style, emphasizing simplicity and sobriety in design.

💡Abbasid Architecture

Abbasid Architecture refers to the architectural style prevalent during the Abbasid Caliphate, which controlled the Muslim world in the 9th century. The Ibn Tulun Mosque is highlighted in the video as a jewel of this style, characterized by its simplicity and lack of ostentatious decoration. The Abbasid style is a stark contrast to the Umayyad style, which was known for its elaborate mosaics and Byzantine influences.

💡Umayyad

The Umayyad refers to the Umayyad Caliphate, which preceded the Abbasid Caliphate and had a different architectural style. The Umayyad style is characterized by its flamboyance and use of elaborate mosaics, as opposed to the Abbasid's more sober and minimalist approach. The video discusses the architectural revolution brought about by the Abbasids, moving away from the Umayyad style.

💡Ibn Tulun Mosque

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is the oldest mosque in Cairo and a prime example of Abbasid architecture. It is noted for its simple and pure architecture, devoid of colorful decorations, tiles, or paintings. The mosque features a large square courtyard, making it the largest in Egypt. Its design, including the use of pointed arches and the absence of columns, represents a significant departure from previous architectural practices.

💡Pointed Arches

Pointed arches are a distinctive feature of the Ibn Tulun Mosque and are highlighted in the video as the first of their kind in Egypt and possibly the oldest in architectural history. These arches are part of the mosque's innovative design, which eschews the use of columns in favor of robust piers that support the structure. The pointed arches symbolize a break from traditional construction methods and are a hallmark of Abbasid architectural innovation.

💡Sobriety in Decoration

Sobriety in decoration is a key concept in the video, referring to the minimalist approach taken in the design of the Ibn Tulun Mosque. This approach is in stark contrast to the elaborate and ornate decorations of the Umayyad period. The Abbasid style, as exemplified by the mosque, favors a pure and unadorned aesthetic, which is seen in the use of simple materials like firebrick and plaster.

💡Stucco

Stucco is a type of plaster used extensively in the construction of the Ibn Tulun Mosque. It is a mixture of plaster, glue, pulverized marble, slate, lime, chalk, and pigments, all bonded by water. Stucco allows for the creation of thick coatings that resemble stone in aspect and hardness while providing craftsmen the freedom to shape their creations by hand. It is a characteristic artistic signature of Abbasid art and is used to create the mosque's intricate geometric designs.

💡Samara

Samara is the hometown of Ibn Tulun and is mentioned in the video as the source of inspiration for the architectural style of the mosque. The mosque in Samara, with its unique minaret of helical shape, influenced the design of the Ibn Tulun Mosque, particularly in the use of pointed arches and the overall architectural conception. The video also notes that Ibn Tulun was the son of a slave from Samara.

💡Mausoleum

A mausoleum is a monumental tomb, typically built for important figures. In the video, the mausoleum of Ibn Tulun is mentioned, which is historically known as the 'Tomb of the Opposites.' It features stucco decorations and verses from the Quran on its walls. The mausoleum's design reflects the Abbasid period's ornamental richness, which was a departure from the simpler styles of earlier periods.

💡Islamic Art

Islamic Art in the context of the video refers to the artistic expressions and architectural styles that emerged during the Abbasid period. The video discusses how Ibn Tulun imposed a new conception of Islamic art, inspired by the Iraqi deserts of his childhood. This new art favored abstract designs and sobriety in decoration, moving away from the Byzantine-influenced Umayyad art that was characterized by elaborate mosaics.

Highlights

Ibn Tulun, a young ambitious governor, was sent by the caliph to Cairo in the 9th century to build a remarkable monument.

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is considered a jewel of Abbasid architecture and the oldest mosque in Cairo.

The mosque features a sober, architectural style, breaking from the flamboyance of the Umayyad period.

It has the largest square courtyard in Egypt, showcasing a simple, unadorned architecture.

The mosque is built using simple materials like firebrick plastered over, with no colorful decorations or tiles.

Ibn Tulun, the commissioner, was the son of a slave from Samarra, Iraq.

Upon arriving in Cairo in 868, Ibn Tulun envisioned a new city centered around a mosque.

He demanded a new architectural style from his architects, inspired by the mosque in his hometown of Samarra.

Ibn Tulun insisted on no columns being used in the mosque, pioneering the use of robust piers and pointed arches.

The mosque features the first pointed arch in Egypt and possibly the oldest in architectural history.

Ibn Tulun imposed a new conception of Islamic art, favoring sobriety and breaking away from Umayyad art's elaborate mosaics.

The Abbasids introduced abstract art, moving away from Byzantine-influenced mosaics.

The mosque has 128 unique windows, showcasing incredible finesse in geometric shapes and stucco carving.

Stucco, a mixture of plaster and other materials, became a characteristic artistic signature of Abbasid art.

The decorations are delicate and elegant, resembling lace with interlacing circles and leaves.

The windows are strategically placed to create a sense of constant movement within the building.

Architecture is an art of movement, not static structures, as it is experienced through living within the building.

Ibn Tulun's mausoleum, historically known as the Tomb of the Opposites, features stucco decorations and Quranic verses.

The Abbasid period saw the creation of richly ornamented cemeteries and mausoleum domes, highlighting beauty and magnificence.

Ancient Egyptian tradition of placing a cup of water on tombs signifies eternal life.

Transcripts

in the 9th century

while the other great dynasty the

abbasids controlled the muslim world

ibn tulan a young ambitious governor was

sent by the caliph to the city of cairo

he will build a remarkable monument

[Music]

there

the ibn chulan mosque is considered a

jewel of abbasid architecture

of all the mosques in cairo it is the

oldest

it is the affirmation of a sober bear

architectural style

a real break from the flamboyance of the

umayyad

with this huge square courtyard it is

also the largest in egypt

the most important thing about this

mosque is it's

simple architecture

architecture that is that's not flashy

it's not glitzy

it's an architecture that does not have

colors in its decoration no tiles

no paintings it's all very pure

[Music]

and it's built by very simple material

it's built off by

firebrick that was plastered over

and that's it

a remarkable sobriety as seen in the

foundation of ablutions

a simple black marble placed in the

middle of the vast courtyard

surmounted by a dome devoid of artifices

[Music]

ibn tulam the commissioner of this

mosque is the son of a slave from samara

in iraq

[Music]

when he arrived in cairo in the year 868

one of his first visionary decisions was

to create

a new city whose heart would be a mosque

[Music]

he demands a new style from his

architects but he wants an element that

echoes the mosque of his hometown

samara with its unique minaret of

helical shape points

[Music]

ibn tulan had a copy erected attached to

his mosque

as the mark of the abbasid presence in

egypt

he launched projects that heralded a

major breakthrough in muslim

architecture

when ibn wanted to build his mosque

he told the architects no columns should

be used in my muscle

and the architects told him why go

through all this

difficulty it's easy we go to any

ancient monument

we go to churches we go to synagogues

old

that were destroyed probably we get the

columns and we've been

like the previous mosque were built this

way

he said no no i don't want any of that i

don't want you to go and destroy

ancient monuments or churches or

synagogues or any of that

i want you to build me this type of

peer that i want

these robust piers support arches

and these are pointed arches

it's the first pointed arch that we have

in egypt

and probably the oldest pointed arch

in the history of architecture

is right here the archers themselves

are very graceful in his desire to

distinguish himself from his

predecessors

ibn tulan imposed a new conception of

islamic art

inspired by the iraqi deserts in which

he spent his childhood

he highlights this heritage favoring the

sobriety of the decoration

this meant a complete breakaway from

umayyad art

which was based on elaborate mosaics in

the byzantine style

the mosque of ibn tulun is different

from what was before

like in the dome of the rock and in

cordova

there was big huge

areas that are made of mosaics

but it is vases and flowers

and trees and pearls

and jewelry the revolution

was by the abbasids our bassets came

over

and they obliterated everything that was

byzantine

and in order to

imply a new character for islamic art

they went into the abstract

[Music]

the 128 windows of the mosque pierced in

the thickness of the walls

are all different

a work of incredible finesse that

alternates the geometric shapes carved

into the stucco

a type of plaster the raw material for

all the cladding of the mosque

[Music]

a mixture of plaster glue pulverized

marble

slate lime chalk and pigments all bonded

by water

stucco allows the creation of thick

coatings with an aspect and hardness of

the stone

while leaving the craftsmen the freedom

to fashion their creations by hand

inherited from the greeks and romans

stucco is now a characteristic artistic

signature of abbasid art

the toulon came from samara

and there everything was made of

stucco almost everything

the whole of mesopotamia is famous for

stuck

work yeah i don't think there are

workers now

who can do this work anymore

the decorations are very elegant

it's like for me it's like

lace it's very delicate

designs how they put the designs

together

interlacing circles with the leaves

yeah i find it very

very chic

[Music]

we find that the windows are never

centered

with any arch so we want to center the

windows

unconsciously and once you center one

window you're seeing the second

so we move within the building until we

center without knowing

and once you center the second you are

centering the third and fourth and then

it becomes endless

in the movement within the building and

once you

reach that point of entering a building

that you are constantly moving in it

it shows ultimate degree of architecture

because architecture in itself is the

sense it's the art of movement

not the art of static

structures because you are living within

the building

[Music]

now

during the five daily prayers the ibn

tulan mosque comes out of its silence

for a moment

[Music]

facing the merib which points to mecca

the faithful men of the neighborhood

arrived to worship

[Music]

at the height of the greatness that he

returned to egypt under his mandate as

governor

we can imagine eben tulan here facing

this merib

with a large crowd behind him

yet today few remember ibn

he would rest in anonymity a few steps

from the mosque

in the middle of the city's great

cemetery in this mausoleum

unknown and ignored for centuries

historically known as the tomb of the

opposites

[Music]

on the walls stucco decorations and

verses from the koran

[Music]

on the ground two graves one large and

one small

it is in the smaller of the two that the

remains of the great leader would be

found

before the abbasids the cemeteries and

the domes of the mausoleums were not

ornamentally rich

many new cemeteries were created after

the advent of the abbasids

these were characterized by their

ornamental richness with plants

stucco and calligraphy

all this highlighted the beauty and

magnificence of these mausoleum domes

following an ancient egyptian tradition

as a sign of eternal life

the guardian of the cemetery places a

cup of water on each tomb

men and dynasties disappear leaving only

traces of their passages engraved in

[Music]

stone

you