9.2 Umayyad architecture and urban planning

The Umayyad period saw a boom in Islamic architecture and urban planning. From iconic religious structures like the Dome of the Rock to lavish desert palaces, this era left a lasting mark on the Holy Land's landscape.

Umayyad rulers transformed cities and built new ones, blending local traditions with Islamic aesthetics. Their architectural legacy, featuring intricate mosaics and stucco work, continues to inspire and awe visitors to this day.

Religious Architecture

Iconic Structures

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• Dome of the Rock: Octagonal structure in Jerusalem topped with a golden dome, built by Abd al-Malik in the late 7th century, one of the earliest surviving examples of Islamic architecture
• Al-Aqsa Mosque: Located in the Al-Haram ash-Sharif complex in Jerusalem, originally built in the early 8th century, the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina
• Mihrab: Niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca which Muslims face during prayer, often decorated with mosaics, tiles, or calligraphy

Architectural Elements

• Minaret: Tower from which the call to prayer (adhan) is issued, typically tall and slender with a balcony near the top, became a distinctive feature of mosque architecture during the Umayyad period
• Hypostyle hall: Interior space of a mosque divided into aisles by rows of columns or pillars, a common feature in early Islamic religious architecture (Great Mosque of Damascus)
• Ablution fountains: Fountains or basins located in mosque courtyards for ritual washing (wudu) before prayer, often decorated with mosaics or carved stone

Decorative Elements

Artistic Techniques

• Mosaics: Decorative art form using small pieces of colored glass, stone, or ceramic to create intricate patterns and designs, used extensively in Umayyad religious and secular buildings (Dome of the Rock, Khirbat al-Mafjar)
• Stucco decoration: Ornamental plasterwork used to decorate walls, ceilings, and architectural elements, often featuring intricate geometric, floral, or calligraphic designs, a hallmark of Umayyad interior decoration (Qasr Hisham, Khirbat al-Mafjar)

Desert Palaces

Umayyad Retreats

• Desert castles: Fortified palaces or residences built by Umayyad caliphs and aristocracy in the desert regions of Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, served as retreats, hunting lodges, and agricultural estates (Qasr Amra, Qasr al-Hayr)
• Qasr Hisham: Also known as Hisham's Palace, a desert palace complex near Jericho, featuring a grand bathhouse, mosaic floors, and stucco decoration, built during the reign of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (724-743 CE)
• Khirbat al-Mafjar: A desert palace complex near Jericho, known for its elaborate mosaic floors, stucco decoration, and a unique bathhouse with a domed roof and sculpture of semi-nude women, built during the reign of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik
• Umayyad Palace: A complex in Amman, Jordan, built in the 8th century, featuring a grand audience hall, bathhouse, and extensive water management system, showcasing Umayyad architectural and engineering prowess

Urban Planning

City Development

• Urban planning in Jerusalem: Umayyad caliphs transformed Jerusalem into an Islamic city, building the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and improving infrastructure such as roads, water systems, and markets
• Ramla: A new city founded by Caliph Suleiman ibn Abd al-Malik in the early 8th century, served as the capital of Jund Filastin (military district of Palestine), featuring a grand mosque, palace, and grid-like street plan, an example of Umayyad urban planning principles