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.