فن العمارة في العهد السلجوقي ١_a .. كتاب العمارة العربية الاسلامية

Architecture in the Seljuk era

General characteristics

The flourishing of the architectural arts in Egypt during the last century of the rule of the Fatimid state was matched by a similar flourishing in the Levant, which took place at the hands of the Seljuks. We have seen that the Seljuks initially ruled in Khorasan and made it the headquarters of their empire, then they took control of Iraq before expanding into the Levant and Anatolia. Therefore, they brought with them arts that were common in the East, especially in Persia and Iraq, to ​​the country.

Among these arts are new innovations in engineering, architectural elements, and decorative arts, and they gradually begin to interact with local arts inherited from the Umayyad and pre-Islamic eras.

It is natural for the Seljuks and their Atabegs in the Levant to bring about a renewal in artistic life, just as they brought about religious and intellectual life (1). The school emerged as a new cultural and architectural institution. During their reign, khanqahs were also built as homes for Sufis, and bimaristans served as hospitals and medical schools. And other military buildings, such as castles and city walls.

One of the most important features of the buildings of this era is that they contain iwans with wide stone arches open to the building courtyard on its four sides or on three of its sides, with a pool of water in the middle of the courtyard. The domes were mounted on corner curves in the corners of the rooms or on stalactites. Vaults with arched (semi-cylindrical) or intersecting vaults were commonly used to roof rooms and halls. The doors of low-height buildings ended at the top with an arch of the pointed type that often crossed (i.e., exceeded the semi-circular opening).

Muqarnas were used for the first time in buildings as an architectural and decorative element at the same time.

In addition to the ornate Kufic script used to engrave texts on buildings, the script known as Naskhi or Thuluth appeared for the first time. It was simple and devoid of decorations.

The art of engraving on wood, stone, and marble advanced to represent plant motifs and coiled veins, of which there are wonderful examples.

The arts of Seljuk architecture and decoration reached their peak during the reign of Sultan Nur al-Din (1) (Mahmoud Ibn Zengi), during whose reign many schools, mosques, and bimaristans were built in most Syrian cities, such as Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, and Maarra, and he was concerned with fortifying the cities and renewing their walls and doors.

During the reign of Nur al-Din, the artistic innovations introduced by the Seljuks to Syria took root and mixed with local artistic traditions in a process of revival that the country had not witnessed since the era of the Umayyads.

Effects of the Seljuk era in Syria:

Many buildings were built during the Seljuk era and in the days of Nur al-Din, a number of which still remain, and they bear witness to a clear urban renaissance. We enumerate the most important ones below:

A) In Damascus:

1 - Damascus Castle: At the beginning of their reign, the Seljuks built a castle in Damascus. It remained a fortress and a headquarters for the rulers of Damascus for a period of nearly a hundred years. Then the just King Abu Bakr demolished it to build a modern castle in its place, which is the castle we see today (1).

2 - Antiquities of Al-Musalla Mosque: A valuable wooden partition was found in the Al-Musalla Mosque in Damascus, which was transferred to the National Museum, dated to the year 497 (1103 AD). It is rich in decorations and inscriptions engraved in beautiful Kufic script (see Photo No. 20).

3 - The coffin of Mrs. Sakina: In the Al-Bab Al-Saghir cemetery in Damascus there is a shrine attributed to Mrs. Sakina bint Al-Hussein. It is made of wood and decorated with engravings and beautiful Kufic script. It is undated, but the style of the writings and decorations indicates that it is from the Seljuk era (sixth century).

4 - The tomb of Prince Al-Tuntash: A stone coffin engraved with inscriptions and decorations, made in the year 514 / 1120, found in the Bab al-Saghir cemetery in Damascus near the grave attributed to Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (1)...

5 - Historical texts in the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Among them are two restoration panels that took place in the sanctuary in the year 475 AH (1082 AD) and were transferred to the National Museum.

Another tablet, still in the northern gallery, dates the restoration of the wall in the year 503 AH.

6 - The Al-Aminiya School in Damascus was built by Amin al-Dawla Kumshakin and is located south of the Umayyad Mosque in the year 530 AH, and only its door remains.

7 - The Nouriyya Madrasa: It is located in the Khayyatin Market. It was built by Nour al-Din in the year 563 / 1167 and was completed after his death, and he was buried there, in luxurious soil with a dome of magnificent muqarnas. The shrine is authentic and rare, its surface covered with beautiful plaster decorations. The madrasa is in good condition, except for its northern iwan. Which was demolished a few years ago due to exposing the road (see photo No. 27).

8 - Al-Bimaristan Al-Nuri: It is the oldest bimaristan in Syria. It was built to be a hospital and a medical school. We will talk about it in detail shortly, as a model of architecture in the Seljuk era.

9.- Nur al-Din Hammam: The hammam that was built during the reign of Nur al-Din in Al-Buzuriyah is considered the oldest hammam in Damascus and it still exists in good condition. There is a project to re-operate a bathroom and return its used parts to commercial warehouses.

10 - Dar Al-Hadith Al-Nouriya: Its location is in the Al-Asrouniyah area, opposite the Al-Adliya Al-Sughra School. Parts of it were turned into a house for students to live in. The most important features of its ancient origin are the door and the mihrab.

11 - Al-Omariya School: Its location is in Al-Salihiya, on the Yazid River, south of the Hanbali Mosque. Al-Umariya was named after the Jerusalemite immigrant Sheikh Abu Omar bin Qudamah, who died in the year 607/1310. It was renewed after him and expanded in later eras. Only a little remains of its ancient origin, the western door of the school, which has a pointed, sweeping arch.

12 - Al-Turba Al-Amadiyah: Its location is in Al-Salhiya, north of the famous Al-Jharkisia School.

13 - The Javan Mujahid School: It was built by Prince Mujahid al-Din Bazzan, one of the major commanders during the reign of Nur al-Din. He died in the year 555/1160. Its location is in the Silk Market near the Qalbajiyya shops. All that remains is the door with a historical inscription in Kufic script on it. Today it is known as the Al-Hijaziyya Mosque.