Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of Córdoba
In 10th-century Córdoba, mathematics—and particularly geometry—was applied to architectural design in new ways, constituting a “mathematical turn” of Islamic architecture. In the mosque of Córdoba and in the palaces of Madīnat al-Zahrāʾ,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Arts |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/7/3/35 |
| _version_ | 1819052883796033536 |
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| author | Felix Arnold |
| author_facet | Felix Arnold |
| author_sort | Felix Arnold |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In 10th-century Córdoba, mathematics—and particularly geometry—was applied to architectural design in new ways, constituting a “mathematical turn” of Islamic architecture. In the mosque of Córdoba and in the palaces of Madīnat al-Zahrāʾ, geometry was employed in the design of ground plans, elevations, decorative patterns, and even to measure the human view. While Roman architects like Vitruvius had used mathematics to place each element of a building in its appropriate relation to all other elements of a building, the architects at Córdoba employed geometry to create a spatial web in which all parts are equal to each other and part of a single, unified space. The architects of Córdoba thus pointed the way to new possibilities of designing architecture, possibilities which were to be tested further by architects of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, though to different ends. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T12:26:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-053456e6dcc04652a243ba41a6e5f37d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0752 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T12:26:55Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Arts |
| spelling | doaj.art-053456e6dcc04652a243ba41a6e5f37d2022-12-21T19:04:08ZengMDPI AGArts2076-07522018-08-01733510.3390/arts7030035arts7030035Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of CórdobaFelix Arnold0German Archaeological Institute, Calle Serrano 159, 28002 Madrid, SpainIn 10th-century Córdoba, mathematics—and particularly geometry—was applied to architectural design in new ways, constituting a “mathematical turn” of Islamic architecture. In the mosque of Córdoba and in the palaces of Madīnat al-Zahrāʾ, geometry was employed in the design of ground plans, elevations, decorative patterns, and even to measure the human view. While Roman architects like Vitruvius had used mathematics to place each element of a building in its appropriate relation to all other elements of a building, the architects at Córdoba employed geometry to create a spatial web in which all parts are equal to each other and part of a single, unified space. The architects of Córdoba thus pointed the way to new possibilities of designing architecture, possibilities which were to be tested further by architects of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, though to different ends.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/7/3/35Mezquita de CórdobaMadīnat al-Zahrāʾarchitectural proportionsgeometryVitruviusinterlocking archesribbed vaultmuqarnaṣ |
| spellingShingle | Felix Arnold Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of Córdoba Arts Mezquita de Córdoba Madīnat al-Zahrāʾ architectural proportions geometry Vitruvius interlocking arches ribbed vault muqarnaṣ |
| title | Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of Córdoba |
| title_full | Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of Córdoba |
| title_fullStr | Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of Córdoba |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of Córdoba |
| title_short | Mathematics and the Islamic Architecture of Córdoba |
| title_sort | mathematics and the islamic architecture of cordoba |
| topic | Mezquita de Córdoba Madīnat al-Zahrāʾ architectural proportions geometry Vitruvius interlocking arches ribbed vault muqarnaṣ |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/7/3/35 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT felixarnold mathematicsandtheislamicarchitectureofcordoba |