Page 428 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

426  SOUTHERN SP AIN

Moorish Architecture

The first significant period of Moorish architecture arrived
with the Cordoban Caliphate. The Mezquita was extended
lavishly during this period and possesses all the enduring
features of the Moorish style: arches, stucco work and
ornamental use of calligraphy. Later, the Almohads
imported a purer Islamic style, as can be seen in La Giralda
(see pp442–3). The Nasrids built the superbly crafted
Alhambra (see pp496–7) and the Mudéjares (see p59) used
their skill to create beautiful Moorish-style buildings such
as the Palacio Pedro I in Seville’s Real Alcázar (see pp446–7). Reflections in water, combined
with an overall play of light, were
central to Moorish architecture.
Moorish domes were
frequently unadorned Defensive walls
on the outside. Inside,
an intricate lattice of
stone ribs supported
the dome’s weight. Like
this one in the Mezquita
(see pp486–7), they were
inlaid with multicoloured
mosaics featuring
stylized flowers.
Moorish gardens were
often arranged around
gently rippling pools
and channels.

Pre-Caliphal Caliphal era Almoravid and Nasrid era
era 710–929 929–1031 Almohad era c.1238–1492
1091–1248
1031–91 Taifa c.1350
period (see p58) Alhambra
palace
700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
785 Mezquita 1184 La Giralda in c.1350
in Córdoba Seville begun Palacio
begun Pedro I Azulejos (see p444), glazed
936 Medina Azahara tiles, often adorned walls in
near Córdoba begun Mudéjar era, geometric patterns, as here
after c.1215
in the Real Alcázar (pp446–7).

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