Islamic Architecture and Fortifications: Key Terms
Abbey or Abbadia
A Yemeni Muslim dynasty, ruling in the Taifa kingdom of Seville from 1023-1091. Their reign was distinguished for its cruelty, while also offering protection to the arts.
Abbasid
Of or pertaining to the second dynasty of Muslim caliphs, founded by Abu-l-Abbas, who overthrew the Umayyads of Damascus (749) and established his capital in Baghdad, a city founded in 762. Abbasid art developed from then until 1258. It is characterized by the use of brick as the basic building material, the pillar and bow keel (targeted) as supporting elements, and stucco and plaster as the primary means of decoration. It renovated the Persian building tradition, based on vaulted structures, and contributed to its introduction in Mesopotamia, from where it spread to the East. One of its most representative elements is the iwan.
Ablutions
Ritual washing with water. The act of washing designed to put the Muslim in the state of purity required for religious ceremonies.
Access
Entrance to a fortification.
High Access
When a door opens to a defense at a certain height above the ground level of the surrounding terrain to hinder its entry.
Recessed Access
When a fortified entrance is made through a passage that breaks in one or more angles (double or triple bend), with the intent to hinder an assault.
Straight Access
When the entrance to a fortified enclosure is made through a straight passage.
Adarve
A corridor at the top of a wall, like a walkway, which allows monitoring of a fortress. In some cases, it is protected with a cover and opens to the outside through small openings (battlements). This term also defines an impasse, characteristic of Hispano cities that, gifted with a door, allows access only to the owners of the farms that were set in its path.
Textured
Decoration of parallel incised lines or grooves that are made in the underside or soffit of the various elements of wood, structural or otherwise, performed with a gauge. Gauges were formerly called profiles.
Gables
A square timber placed perpendicular to the bisecting angle between two walls or two stirrups, leaning on the same angle and quadratus. Its mission is to strengthen the latter.
Ajimez
An oriel window or balcony made of wood and closed blinds, so that the interior of the room cannot be seen from the street.
Allah
The one God. Although the use of the word Allah in Castilian suggests that it is the God of the Muslims, as distinct from other religions, it is the same, i.e., the one God.
Alambor
A slope in the lower exterior of walls and towers, to strengthen, keep away assault machines, cause the rebound of projectiles, and reduce blind spots.
Alamud
A beam of wood or iron, crossed or embedded in the inside of a door, to increase its resistance to being forced.
Cupboard
A hole in the wall, with or without doors, for storing food or other things.
Alamin
An expert judging works of architecture. In Arabic, a loyal, trustworthy person.
Al-Andalus
The territory of the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule, regardless of its geographic range, as used in medieval Arabic sources. It is often also applied to designate the entire Iberian Peninsula in general.
Alarife
An architect or master builder; a mason. Muslim builders gained a reputation in the conduct of work with plaster and clay (brick and ceramics).
Executors
Walled enclosures, usually located outside of a tower or fort of greater importance, in the plaza entrance and exit to the field, with the mission of protecting livestock or the population around the castle.