The four main structures built during the Golden Age of Islam were mosques, palaces, forts and tombs. Many of the mosques architectural design was modeled after both the Byzantine empire and the Ottomans. The Byzantine architecture was the primary foundation and the size of the buildings themselves, while the Ottoman architecture largely influenced the domes that can be seen on famous buildings such as the Taj Mahal.
Dome of the Rock Muslim by Martieda is under public domain
The Dome of the Rock was the first Islamic building that was built in 673 CE in Jerusalem. Other notable mosques are Nur Astana located in Kazakstan Mosque and the Shah Mosque - both of which derive similar inspiration from the Byzantines and Ottomans.
Alhambra Löwenhof mit Löwenbrunnen byTuxyso is under CC BY license. Dawn Charles V Palace Alhambra Granada Andalusia Spain by Jebulon is under CC BY license.
Another piece of Islamic Architecture is the Alhambra built by the Nasrid dynasty between years 1238-1492 primarily for its location as a military zone initially, it soon became the residence and entertaining space of the dynasty. The name Alhambra has its origins in an Arabic word meaning "red castle or vermilion", perhaps due to the color tone of the towers and walls that completely surround the hill it sits on. The city was seized in 1492 by Catholic Monarchs and turned into a Catholic court after Grenada was seized.
Great Mosque of Samarra by Mahdi Almas is under CC BY license.
A very unique piece of architecture is the Great Mosque of Samarra. Built by Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil (reigned 847–861) around 850. The mosque is located in Iraq about 120 miles north of Baghdad along the Tigris river. The mosque covered over 38,000 square meters and was the largest in the world for 400 years until it was destroyed by the Mongols. All the remain now of the Mosque are the outer walls and the minaret tower which was partially destroyed in 2005 due to insurgents bombing it while the US was using it for a lookout.
References
Alhambra Valparaiso Ocio y Cultura SL. (n.d.). Alhambra.org. La Alhambra de Granada. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.alhambra.org/en/alhambra-history.html.
AlSulaiti, F. (2021, December 8). Minaret. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.worldhistory.org/Minaret/.
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Dome of the rock. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dome-of-the-Rock.
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Minaret. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/art/minaret-architecture.
Planet|, T. of I. A. (2014, August 25). The historic Great Mosque of samarra. Times of India Travel. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/the-historic-great-mosque-of-samarra/as40188702.cms.
AlSulaiti, F. (2021, December 8). Minaret. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.worldhistory.org/Minaret/.
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Dome of the rock. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dome-of-the-Rock.
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Minaret. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/art/minaret-architecture.
Planet|, T. of I. A. (2014, August 25). The historic Great Mosque of samarra. Times of India Travel. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/the-historic-great-mosque-of-samarra/as40188702.cms.