1. Timeline of the History, Dynasties, and Styles of Islamic Architecture

4. From Mecca and Medina to Omayyad Spain and the Syrian Desert Palaces - 640 - 740
The two large pilgrimage complexes in Medina and Mecca go back to the lifetime of the prophet.
They started from humble palm huts where he taught and gave his sermons and have grown into vast structures which artistically own their final form to the Ottomans and the 80 years since 1922.
Mecca 1850

5. Medina, Saudi Arabia al-Masjid al-Nabawi
Medina, Saudi Arabia al-Masjid al-Nabawi. The Prophet's Mosque and Tomb 622 to the 20th cent Architect Dar El Handasah
The Mosque of the Prophet was built in 622 by the Muslim community after they reached the city of Yathrib, which would later be called al-Madina al-Muanwara. The mosque was situated next to the Prophet's house, and it consisted of a square enclosure of thirty by thirty-five meters, built with palm trunks and mud walls.

6. After the death of the Prophet, the mosque was enlarged to twice its size. In 707, by Umayyad Caliph al-Walid ( ).
Mamluk Sultans built the dome over the Prohets house and tomb and built and rebuilt the four minarets.
The Ottomans ( ) added and reconstucted the mosque until in the 20th cent the entire complex was remodeled and enlarged. - The mosque enclosure is one hundred times bigger than the first mosque built by the Prophet and can accommodate more than half a million worshippers.

7. Mecca, Saudi Arabia al-Masjid al-Haram Great Mosque of al-Haram 1564, , modern expansion in 1955 Ottoman
View of the mosque from the east after the first Saudi extension, showing the minarets with two balconies and the four monumental gates.

8. Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (المسجد الحرام "The Sacred Mosque"), is the largest mosque in the world. Located in the city of Mecca, it surrounds the Kaaba, the place which Muslims turn towards while offering daily prayer and is considered to be the holiest place on Earth by Muslims. The mosque is also commonly known as the Haram or Haram Sharif.
The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square meters including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to 2 million worshippers during the Hajj period.
Mecca 1850

10. Yemen
Yemen is a unique case architecturally. The local vernacular is so strong that the construction of their mosques - among the earliest in Islam - is firstly and lastly influenced by local colors.
There is some Omayyad influence in the layout of the Great Mosque, but even the mosques built during the Ottoman reign have a specific Yemen signature.

11. Sana'a is an architectural museum in its own right
Sana'a is an architectural museum in its own right. Recently restored, its 13th-18th century buildings are unique.

12. Sana'a, Yemen Great Mosque - Jami al-Kabir 705-715 Omayyad
According to early sources, Prophet Muhammad commanded the construction of this mosque, including its location and dimensions, sometime around 630. While the validity of this claim lacks evidence and certainty, the mosque remains one of the first architectural projects in Islam. Sometime between 705 and 715, the Umayyid Caliph al-Walid I, rebuilt a new and larger mosque at the site. Isma`ili Queen Arwa ibn Ahmad (12th cent) initiated an upgrade and restoration of the mosque. Towards this end she rebuilt its eastern wing complete with a new beautifully sculpted ceiling.

13. Omayyad Syria and Spain 661-750
Overlooking Yemen's Great Mosque,  Islamic art-history considers the Dome of the Rock and the Omayyad Mosque of Damascus as the beginning of Islamic Architecture. In a formal sense this is true. The marriage between Byzantine architecture and Islamic needs and tastes took place in Syria and Palestine – and the craftsmen were from Constantinople and Armenia.

14. A most interisting subject - beyond this investigation - is the refertilization of late Byzantine art by Islamic concepts.  For several centuries Islamic forms and designs resurfaced in Christian sacred architecture: the Iconoclast Period in Byzantine art, Norman architecture in Sicily and Apulia, down to the early Gothic cathedrals in Spain and France  -  not to mention Emperor Frederick II and St. Fancis. - Some Islamic scholars (Idries Shah) maintain that the Gothic masons' lodges were made up of Islamic Sufis from Italy, Spain and Southern France.

15. Jerusalem The Dome of the Rock, Masjid Qubbat As-Sakhrah 687 – 691
The Dome was built between 687 and 691 by the 9th Caliph, Abd al-Malik, making it the oldest extant Islamic building.
It is in the shape of a Byzantine martyrium, a structure intended for the housing and veneration of saintly relics and is an excellent example of middle Byzantine art.
During the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent ( ) the exterior of the Dome of the Rock was covered with Iznik tiles. The work took seven years.
The rock in the center of the dome is the spot from which, according to Islamic tradition, Muhammad ascended for a night-long journey to Heaven in AD 621, accompanied by Gabriel.
In an extensive program of renovation was begun by the government of Jordan, with funds supplied by the Arab governments and Turkey. The work included replacement of large numbers of the Iznik tiles. In 1960, as part of this restoration, the dome was covered with a durable aluminium and bronze alloy made in Italy.

16. Damascus, Syria The Great Omayyad Mosque 706-715
During Roman times the site was a temple of Jupiter which was in the Byzantine era converted into a Christian church dedicated to John the Baptist. The Muslim conquest of Damascus in 636 did not affect the church, as the site was shared by Muslim and Christian worshippers.
The Umayyad caliph Al-Walid I purchased the site and demolished the church. He built the present mosque between 706 and 715 with the help of 200 skilled Byzantine workers: including  the mosaics in the overlong (136 x 37 m) prayer hall.
Most of this interior decoration was lost in a great fire in The mosaics on the outside are of recent date. The building is a simple solution of the Islamic need for a space in which all could face Mecca and see the quibbla. It has been copied in a number of places (e.g. the Great Mosque of Diyarbakir, Turkey). Another early scheme to achieve the same goal is the Mesquita in Cordoba, Spain.

18. Cordoba, Andalusia The Great Mosque of Cordoba 785-987
The construction of the Mesquita (originally the Aljama Mosque) took over two centuries, starting in 784 A.D. under the supervision of the first Emir Abd ar-Rahman I, who built it as an adjunct to his palace - and named it in honor of his wife - on the site of the Visigothic cathedral of St. Vincent. The mosque underwent numerous subsequent changes: Abd ar-Rahman III built a new minaret, while Al-Hakem II, in 961, enlarged the plan of the building and enriched the mihrab. The last changes were carried out by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Amir in 987.

19. In 1236 Cordoba was captured by King Ferdinand III of Castile
In 1236 Cordoba was captured by King Ferdinand III of Castile. The Mesquita was reconsecrated as a Christian church. Alfonso X oversaw the construction of the Villaviciosa Chapel and the Royal Chapel within the structure of the mosque. The most significant alteration was the construction of a Renaissance cathedral in the middle of the structure by Charles V (1530s). Still this reversion to a Christian church (officially the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin) may have helped to preserve the Mesquita
The Mesquita is one of the most beautiful sacred spaces in the world, and Charles V's insertion of an entire cathedral only underscores the peace and quiet of the Islamic architecture.

20. Cordoba, Spain Medina Azahara (Medinat al-Zahara) 936-948
The ruins of al-Zahara near Cordoba were discovered in Only about 10 percent has been excavated and restored. The city flourished for approximately 80 years. Built by Abd ar-Rahman III the Caliph of Csrdoba starting between 936 and 940. The largest known city built from scratch in Western Europe. Madinat al-Zahra was destroyed in 1010 during the civil war that led to the dissolution of the Caliphate of Cordoba. Abd al-Rahman III moved his entire court to Medina Azahara in Popular legend holds that the Caliph named al-Zahra, or Azahara, after his favorite wife (the Spaniards say concubine).

21. Al Walid's Anjar Palace 705-715
Rural pleasure palace of al-Walid I. A square walled complex resembling Roman-Byzantine army camps. Excavated A mosque, baths, service quarters, partly restored.

22. Qasr al-Amra, Jordan
Charming, well-preserved small "red castle" built for Omayyad Caliph al-Walid Architecturally the large throne room resembles a 3-nave Byzantine church. Attached are warm- and hot-steam baths. extensive murals - in poor shape - depict Persian Shah Khosrau, the remperor of Byzantium, and other famous rulers of the world (Persian influences?), the colors of the murals remind of those preserved from Dura-Europos (Museum Damascus). The surprise in the nudity-hostile Islamic-Arabic world, are the bathing and pleasure scenes in lovely garden murals: The pleasures of Paradise on this Earth!

23. Omayyad Palace
Originally a Roman fortress constructed under Emperor Caracalla to protect its inhabitants from Bedouin tribes, this site dates to the second and 3rd century AD. It was one fort of many on the Roman highway, Via Nova Traiana, a route that connected Damascus to Aqaba by way of Petra and Amman. In 709 the Umayyad caliph Hisham ordered the Roman structures to be demolished in order to redevelop this military site and its neighboring territory to become one of the grandest of all Umayyad desert complexes.
Approximately 1400 meters east of the palace stand the remains of the mosque at Qusayr al-Hallabat constructed of layered limestone. The bath located approximately two kilometers east of the main site is known as Hammam as-Sarakh and consists of a rectangular audience hall, and a bath. It is reminiscent of Qsar 'Amra in plan. From Archnet.org.

24. Qasr al Hayr ash Sharqi (724-43)
Impressive ruins of a pleasure castle of Calif Hisham

25. Qasr al-Mshatta, Jordan 743-734
As one of the largest and most impressive of the Umayyad palaces, the unfinished, tawny-toned limestone and brick complex at Qasr al-Mshatta includes an entrance hall, a mosque, an audience hall, and residential quarters. Commissioned by Umayyad caliph al-Walid II. Construction concluded in 744 when he was assassinated. "Winter Camp" is a large square "castrum" of 144x144 m wall length.

26. The most beautiful feature of Mshatta, however, remains in the rich and intricately carved features on its southern exterior, a significant section of which was given to Kaiser Wilhelm as a gift from the Ottoman sultan 'Abd al-Hamid just before World War I . These reconstructed ornamental sculptures from the gates are the piece-de-resistance of the Islamic Museum in Berlin:

46. History Islamic tradition holds that the mosque was first built by the angels before the creation of mankind, when God ordained a place of worship on Earth to reflect the house in heaven called al-Baytu l-Maˤmur (Arabic: البيت المعمور, "The Worship Place of Angels"). Al-Baytu l-Maˤmur is believed to be located in heaven directly above the Kaaba. The first Kaaba was built by angels and Adam was the first human to re-build it. From time to time the mosque was destroyed and rebuilt anew. According to popular belief it was famously built by Ibrahim (Abraham), with the help of his son Ismael. They were ordered by Allah to build the mosque, and the Kaaba. The Black Stone is situated near the eastern corner of the Kaaba, and according to some people is believed to have 'fallen from heaven' and turned black due to man's misdeeds. Others believe it is only a mark to start the circumambulation around the Kaaba. The Kaaba is the direction for all the Muslims to pray across the globe thus signifying unity among all. The Islamic teaching specifically mentions that nothing is magical about Masjid-ul-haram except for the oasis ZamZam which has never dried ever since it was revealed.
Makkah al-Mukarramah and 1787 Turkish artwork of the Holy Mosque and related

47. “ And when We assigned to Abraham the place of the House (Kaaba), saying: Do not associate with Me aught, and purify My House for those who make the circuit and stand to pray and bow and prostrate themselves. „ —Qur'an, [Qur'an 22:26]
“ And when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House (Kaaba): Our Lord! accept from us; surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing. „ —Qur'an, [Qur'an 2:127]
Mecca 1910

48. Muslim belief places the story of Ishmael and his mother's search for water in the general vicinity of the mosque. In the story, Hagar runs between the hills of Safa and Marwah looking for water for her son, until God eventually reveals to her the Zamzam Well, from where water continues to flow non-stop to this day.
After the Hijra, upon Muhammed's victorious return to Mecca, the people of Mecca themselves removed all the idols in and around the Kaaba and cleansed it. This began the Islamic rule over the Kaaba, and the building of a mosque around it. The first major renovation to the Mosque took place in 692. Before this renovation – which included the mosque’s outer walls been risen and decoration to the ceiling – the Mosque was a small open area with the Ka’aba at the centre. By the end of the 700s the Mosque’s old wooden columns had been replaced with marble columns and the wings of the prayer hall had been extended on both sides along with the addition of a minaret. The spread of Islam in the Middle East and the influx of pilgrims required an almost complete rebuilding of the site which came to include more marble and three further minarets.

49. In 1399 the Mosque caught fire and what wasn’t destroyed in the fire (very little) was damaged by unseasonable heavy rain. Again the mosque was rebuilt over six years using marble and wood sourced from nearby mountains in the Hejaz region of current day Saudi Arabia. When the mosque was renovated again in 1570 by Sultan Selim II’s private architect it resulted in the replacement of the flat roof with domes decorated with calligraphy internally and the placement of new support columns. These features – still present at the Mosque – are the oldest surviving parts of the building and in fact older than the Ka’aba itself (discounting the black stone itself) which is currently in its fourth incarnation made in The Saudi government acknowledges 1570 as the earliest date for architectural features of the present Mosque.

50. Saudi Development Following further damaging rain in the 1620s the Mosque was renovated yet again: a new stone arcade was added, three more minarets were built and the marble flooring was retiled. This was the unaltered state of the Mosque for nearly three centuries. The most significant architectural and structural changes came, and continue to come, from the Saudi status of ‘Guardian of the Holy Places’ and the honorific title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (the other been the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina) been afforded to King Abdul Aziz. Many of the previously mentioned features – particularly the support columns – were destroyed in spite of their historical value. In their place came artificial stone and marble, the ceiling was refurnished and the floor was replaced. The Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, an important part of both Hajj and Umarh, came to be included in the Mosque itself during this time via roofing and enclosement. Also during this first Saudi renovation four minarets were added.

51. The second Saudi renovations, this time under King Fahd, added a new wing and an outdoor prayer area to the Mosque. The new wing which is also for prayers is accessed through the King Fahd Gate. This extension is considered to have been from The third Saudi extension ( ) saw the building of further minarets, the erecting of a King’s residence overlooking the Mosque and further prayer area in and around the mosque itself. These developments have taken place simaltenously with those in Arafat, Mina and Mazdilifah. This third extension has also resulted in 18 more gates been built, three domes corresponding in position to each gate and the installation of nearly 500 marble columns.

52. Modern but essentially non-architectural developments have been the addition of heated floors, air conditioning, escalators and a drainage system. The death of King Fahd means that the Mosque is now undergoing a fourth extension which began in 2007 and is projected to last until King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz plans to increase the capacity of the mosque by 35% from it’s current maximum capacity of 800,000 with 1,120,000 outside the Mosque itself.

53. Religious significance The importance of the mosque is twofold
Religious significance The importance of the mosque is twofold. It not only serves as the common direction towards which Muslims pray, but is also the main location for pilgrimages.
Qibla The qibla—the direction that Muslims turn to in their prayers (salah)—is toward the Kaaba and symbolizes unity in worshipping one God. At one point the direction of the qibla was toward Bayt al-Maqdis, Jerusalem (and it is therefore called the First of the Two Qiblas), however, this only lasted for seventeen months, after which the qibla became oriented towards the Kaaba in Mecca. According to accounts from Muhammad's companions, the change happened very suddenly during the noon prayer at Medina in the Masjid al-Qiblatain. Muhammad was leading the prayer when he received a revelation from Allah instructing him to take the Kaaba as the qibla (literally, "turn your face towards the Masjid al-Haram"). According to the historical accounts, Muhammad, who had been facing Jerusalem, upon receiving this revelation, immediately turned around to face Mecca, and those praying behind him also did so.

54. Pilgrimage The Haram is the focal point of the hajj and umrah pilgrimages[2] that occur in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar and at any time of the year, respectively. The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, required of all able-bodied Muslims who can afford the trip. In recent times, about 3 million Muslims perform the hajj every year. Some of the rituals performed by pilgrims are symbolic of historical incidents. For example, the episode of Hagar's search for water is emulated by Muslims as they run between the two hills of Safa and Marwah whenever they visit Mecca.

55. Kaaba Literally, Kaaba in Arabic means square house
Kaaba Literally, Kaaba in Arabic means square house. The word Kaaba may also be derivative of a word meaning a cube. Some of these other names include: Al-Bait ul Ateeq which, according to one interpretation, means the earliest and ancient. According to another interpretation, it means independent and liberating. Al-Bayt ul Haram which may be translated as 'the honorable house'. The whole building is constructed out of the layers of gray blue stone from the hills surrounding Mecca. The four corners roughly face the four points of the compass. In the eastern corner is the Hajr-al-Aswad (the Black Stone), at the northern corner lies the Rukn-al-Iraqi ('The Iraqi corner'), at the west lies Rukn-al-Shami ('The Syrian corner') and at the south Rukn-al-Yamani ('The Yemeni corner'). The four walls are covered with a curtain (Kiswa). The kiswa is usually of black brocade with the Shahada outlined in the weave of the fabric. About two-thirds of the way up runs a gold embroidered band covered with Qur'anic text.