Fes & Zerhoun, Morocco Of all of the countries of North Africa, none boasts as many great classical Islamic cities as Morocco: Tangier, Rabat and splendid Marrakesh, just to name a few. These cities are home to ancient medinas and magnificent mosques. But the oldest of all are Fes and Zerhoun, the first Islamic cities in Morocco, and home to the region’s first Muslim … [Read more...]
UMAYYAD CASTLES (QASR AL-HEER AL-SHARQI, QASAR HISHAM, QASR AMRA)
Several Locations, Palestine, Jordan & Syria The Umayyads were well known as prolific builders, especially in and around their capital city of Damascus. Taking advantage of the construction expertise of local Byzantine architects and masons, the Umayyads dotted the region with dozens of palaces and castles. While few of these early medieval structures are still standing, … [Read more...]
RUINS OF THE WHITE MOSQUE
Ramla, Palestine The White Mosque of Ramla was once considered to be one of the wonders of Islam. Originally completed during the same era as the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, it was one of the three great pilgrimage mosques built by the Umayyad’s in the Holy Land. Unfortunately, time, geography, war and the elements have not been kind to the White Mosque, and all that … [Read more...]
UMAYYAD MOSQUE (MASJID UMAYYAD)
Damascus, Syria Damascus was the first truly great metropolis of the Muslim world, the pilgrimage cities of Mecca and Medina notwithstanding, and it is the only place from which the entire Islamic Empire was ever ruled. During its century as the Umayyad capital, Damascus was one of the largest and most magnificent cities in the world. As wealth from Muslim conquests poured … [Read more...]
MEZQUITA MOSQUE CATHEDRAL
Cordoba, Spain The Mezquita of Spain is one of Christianity’s greatest architectural oddities. That is because it is, in fact, a converted mosque. But not just any mosque; it was built by the Umayyads during their occupation of Spain, and was at the time of its construction the largest and grandest mosque in the world outside of Mecca. After the Reconquista of Cordoba in … [Read more...]
