Dictionary of islamic architecture

See also:
Herat, Iran, Samarkand
Further reading:
L.Golombek and D.L.Wilber, 
The Timurid Architecture of
Iran and Turan
, Princeton, NJ 1988.
B.O’Kane, 
Timurid Architecture in Khurassan,
Costa Mesa,
CA 1987.
Tlemcen
City in western Algeria noted for its medieval
architecture.
Tlemcen

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Tlemcen was founded in the eighth century on the
ruins of the Roman city of Pomaria although it did
not rise to prominence until the Almoravid period in
the eleventh century. The most important Al-moravid
contribution to the city was the Great Mosque which
survives in the centre of the town. The prayer hall
consists of thirteen aisles running perpendicular to
the qibla wall and covered with pitched tile roofs. Like
other Almoravid mosques the courtyard arcades of
the Great Mosque open directly into the prayer hall.
The minaret which stands opposite the qibla was
added in 1136. The most astonishing feature of the
mosque is the lavish decoration in the area of the
mihrab which includes stone panels with intricately
carved stylized flora. Covering the area in front of the
mihrab is a magnificent perforated dome carried on
sixteen brick ribs and four small squinches. Between
the ribs there is an intricate stucco latticework of
stylized floral motifs whilst at the apex of the dome is
a small muqarnas cupola. The entire dome is covered
by a tiled roof on the exterior.
The other important mosque in Tlemcen is the al-
Ubbad Mosque built by the Marinid sultan Abu al-
Hasan in 1339. The mosque is raised on a plinth and
approached by a monumental staircase leading to a
ceremonial projecting porch with an entrance hall
behind it. The entrance hall leads on to a small
courtyard behind which is the prayer hall. The whole
structure is covered with opulent decoration in the
form of carved stucco work, glazed tiles and delicately
carved stone.