The mosque was the Muslim place for praying and learning. It was hidden within the center of the city and it was it's most important part.In the first stage of Islamic architecture, mosques were made up of covered spaces, often with a minaret (place from where the prayer is called), a mihrab (place carved in a wall where the Quran was kept), a haram (large prayer hall in front of the mihrab) and a qibla (wall that contains the mihrab, oriented towards Mecca).
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THE ALCAZAR
The alcazar was a type of Islamic castle or palace which was sometimes protected by an alcazaba (urban fortress) or a defensive wall. In the past they functioned as homes for the authorities.
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THE ALHONDIGAS
Alhondigas were formerly public storage areas. They were establishments where grain was sold, bought and stored with the purpose of helping the neighbors and the farmers in times of shortage.
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THE HOUSES
The house was the building block of Muslim cities. It was normally enclosed, with all home activities protected inside of it. It also had very few windows.
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THE MARKETS
There were many shops where commercial activity took place in Muslim cities. They were called the markets or the souks. They were usually located on the main arteries of the city surrounding its center, which was normally the mosque.
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THE SUBURBS
The suburbs were areas containing palaces and working-class neighborhoods (neighborhoods that work in unskilled manual or industrial work) that surrounded de central part of the city that was surrounded by walls. They are similar to the areas on the outskirts of the centers of urban areas nowadays.
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THE WALLS
The central part of Muslim cities were surrounded by walls to protect the city's core from external danger or internal revolts (rebellions) in the suburbs.
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THE COUNTRYSIDE
The countryside was where the peasants and slaves would work. They were a minority and had to work there for the people in the central part of the city. There were also a few nomadic groups (traveling communities) that worked at shepherding.
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THE SCHOOLS
The schools were called the madrasas. In them, Muslims studied the Quran and sunnah as well as other things like languages, history or astronomy.
Medieval Muslim cities
Ana
Created on December 18, 2023
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Transcript
MEDIEVAL MUSLIM CITIES
Ana Watson Herrera
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THE MOSQUE
The place to kneel.
The mosque was the Muslim place for praying and learning. It was hidden within the center of the city and it was it's most important part.In the first stage of Islamic architecture, mosques were made up of covered spaces, often with a minaret (place from where the prayer is called), a mihrab (place carved in a wall where the Quran was kept), a haram (large prayer hall in front of the mihrab) and a qibla (wall that contains the mihrab, oriented towards Mecca).
Back to map
THE ALCAZAR
The alcazar was a type of Islamic castle or palace which was sometimes protected by an alcazaba (urban fortress) or a defensive wall. In the past they functioned as homes for the authorities.
Back to map
THE ALHONDIGAS
Alhondigas were formerly public storage areas. They were establishments where grain was sold, bought and stored with the purpose of helping the neighbors and the farmers in times of shortage.
Back to map
THE HOUSES
The house was the building block of Muslim cities. It was normally enclosed, with all home activities protected inside of it. It also had very few windows.
Back to map
THE MARKETS
There were many shops where commercial activity took place in Muslim cities. They were called the markets or the souks. They were usually located on the main arteries of the city surrounding its center, which was normally the mosque.
Back to map
THE SUBURBS
The suburbs were areas containing palaces and working-class neighborhoods (neighborhoods that work in unskilled manual or industrial work) that surrounded de central part of the city that was surrounded by walls. They are similar to the areas on the outskirts of the centers of urban areas nowadays.
Back to map
THE WALLS
The central part of Muslim cities were surrounded by walls to protect the city's core from external danger or internal revolts (rebellions) in the suburbs.
Back to map
THE COUNTRYSIDE
The countryside was where the peasants and slaves would work. They were a minority and had to work there for the people in the central part of the city. There were also a few nomadic groups (traveling communities) that worked at shepherding.
Back to map
THE SCHOOLS
The schools were called the madrasas. In them, Muslims studied the Quran and sunnah as well as other things like languages, history or astronomy.