Historical context of Islamic architecture (IV): Fatimid Dynasty (909-1171).

Fatimid Dynasty (909-1171).

The Fatimid dynasty owes its name to Fatima, Muhammad's daughter who was married with third Caliph Ali (and therefore Shiite profession), but was founded by a local leader of Algeria, who proclaimed his kinship with the prophet and rebelled against Abbasids, forming a powerful empire that occupied all of northern Africa. 

Fatimid Caliphate at its greatest extent (c. 969)

This period is notable in history of Islamic Mediterranean and Sicily countries. Some architectural examples remain as testimony to its past glory: in central Maghrib, Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad and the Mahdia Mosque; in Sicily, Cuba and Zisa in Palermo, built by Fatimids craftsmen under the reign of Norman king William II; in Cairo, the al-Azar Mosque is the most prominent example of Fatimid architecture in Egypt.

Al Qal'a of Bani Hammad, Algeria, 1007. General plan.

Al Qal'a of Bani Hammad, Algeria, 1007. Palace.

Al Qal'a of Bani Hammad, Algeria, 1007. Minaret.

 Cuba Palace, Palermo (Sicily, Italy). 1180

Zisa Palace, Palermo (Sicily, Italy), 1165

Al-Azar Mosque, Cairo (Egypt), 972. Grounf floor plan.

Al-Azar Mosque, Cairo (Egypt), 972. Minarets.

Al-Azar Mosque, Cairo (Egypt), 972. Courtyard.

Lecture taught at Notre Dame School of Architecture in South Bend, Indiana (USA), January 26, 2011.

Author: Pablo Álvarez Funes