Question

Compare the details of Italian architecture of the period with Islamic architecture.

Answer 1

The Renaissance period saw a renewed interest in classic architectural forms. The Gothic architecture was replaced by elements of the classical Greek forms. Domes, columns, arches and vaults became prominent in Italian renaissance architecture. Planar classicism or flat classicism is what most Italian structures of the 15th century depict. The walls of these buildings are ornamented with classical motifs. These walls are also divided into well-defined sections using pilasters, columns or string courses. The most common buildings types constructed in renaissance Italy were urban mansions (palazzo), country mansions (villa) and churches.

Islamic architecture, on the other hand, is mostly visible in the religious buildings such as madrasas and mosques. Islamic architecture is often referred to as the architecture of the veil due its chief characteristic of privacy predominant in all its structures. The most important form of Islamic architecture is the hypostyle mosques. The basic unit of the hypostyle mosque was the bay. The bay is an area covered by four columns. In hypostyle, this bay could be expanded so as to allow the mosque to grow along. This could enable the growing community to find space for prayers. These mosques had an inner courtyard surrounded by riwaqs or arcades on three sides. The courtyards usually have a fountain to conduct wudu. Minarets also made their appearance in Mosques in this form. The most famous hypostyle mosque is the Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia.