Dictionary of islamic architecture

See also:
Córdoba, Spain
Further reading:
K.A.C.Creswell, 
A Short Account of Early Muslim
Architecture,
revised and enlarged ed. J.W.Allan,
Aldershot 1989, 291–303.
Reconstruction of the Great Mosque, Córdoba (after Creswell)
Córdoba Great Mosque

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57
G.Goodwin, 
Islamic Spain: Architectural Guides for
Travellers,
London 1990, 44–55.
Crusader architecture
European architecture of the Christian states established
in Syria and Palestine during the Middle Ages; also
architecture associated with those states in other parts of
the Middle East or Europe.
The largest concentration of Crusader architecture
is to be found in Palestine although Crusader
strongholds were also built further afield from the
Gulf of Aqaba to Anatolia. The main territories
comprising the Crusader dominions were: the
kingdom of Jerusalem (roughly equivalent to
modern Palestine), the county of Tripoli (centred on
the Lebanese port of Tripoli), the principality of
Antioch (on the north coast of Syria) and the county
of Edessa (with its capital at Urfa).
Although the Crusades continued up until the
sixteenth century, the main period of Crusader
architecture was from the beginning of the twelfth
century to the end of the thirteenth, the period during
which the Crusaders occupied Palestine.
Crusader architecture is characterized by high
quality ashlar masonry, massive construction and the
frequent use of masonry marks. Sculptural
decoration and the extensive use of vaulting are other
characteristic features. Although the Crusaders built
a variety of buildings, including hospices, mills and
harbours, their most distinctive work is found in
castles and churches.
Generally Crusader castles were a developed
form of European fortification with additional
features learnt from Byzantine and Islamic military
technology. The most common form of fortification
was the tower 
(tour)
which is equivalent with the
Arabic burj. Typically these had two or three vaulted
storeys which would provide protection and a good
view of the surrounding countryside. The larger
castles were all designed for a specific location so
that each building has a different plan. Nevertheless
each castle would be composed of a number of
common features which could include a rock-cut
fosse or ditch, a glacis or stone revetment and one or
more sets of curtain wall linked by towers, with
possibly a keep in the middle. Loop-holes tended to
be very large with wide reveals.
The churches were often as strongly built as the
castles as they were an integral part of Crusader rule.
The importance of Jerusalem is notable in the fact
that out of 300 churches in Palestine 66 were in
Jerusalem. Most Crusader churches were small
barrel-vaulted single-cell buildings with an apse at
the west end. The larger churches were mainly built
on a cross-in-square plan, although it is noticeable
that domes were rarely used.
As in other areas it is difficult to assess the relative
effects which Crusader, Byzantine and Islamic
architecture had on each other. It is, however, possible
to see specific areas where there was influence, thus
the Muslim castle at Ajlun is obviously similar to
Crusader castles. However, the most significant way
in which the Crusades influenced Islamic architecture
was indirect, through the Venetians who provided the
Crusaders with ships.