Abstract
The aim of this article is to study some aspects of the Great Mosque of Tlemcen based on a planimetrical survey that has recently been carried out on its most outstanding features, particularly the area of the miḥrāb and the maqṣūra . It provides observations on this significant monument from Almoravid times that relate to its analysis by means of drawings. In spite of the fact that it is considered to be one of the most emblematic buildings of Western Islamic art of the 12th Century, only general ground plans have been published up until now, mostly schematic ones, and a few detailed drawings. The plans that we are publishing enable us to comprehend to a greater extent this remarkable building that is set out in comparison with other examples, and especially with regard to the vaults of intertwined arches.
Highlights
El presente artículo tiene como objeto estudiar algunos aspectos de la mezquita mayor de Tremecén basándonos en un levantamiento planimétrico realizado recientemente de sus elementos más singulares, en especial del área del mihrab y la maqsura, aportando algunas observaciones sobre este importante monumento de época almorávide que se desprenden de su análisis a través de los dibujos
The dome covering the space adjoining the mihrab of the great mosque of Tlemcen together with its adornments (Fig. 1), have always been considered as one of the most outstanding works of art of the Almoravids
This is in the album on Muslim Art in Algeria,[1] and forms a repertoire of the ornamental elements which are undoubtedly of a high quality and are presented in a splendid large size edition; there is a lack of architectural documentation
Summary
The aim of this article is to study some aspects of the Great Mosque of Tlemcen based on a planimetrical survey that has recently been carried out on its most outstanding features, the area of the mihrab and the maqsura. I was obviously aware of the dome thanks to the bibliography and the numerous images that had been published, as well as the splendid drawings of Marçais, it was not until November of 2011 when I managed to make direct contact with this work.[16] During a visit to the mosque I was able to take a series of photos, some of which formed stereoscopic pairs, and some straightforward measurements of the width and length of the layout and a height up to the cornice where the dome is set.[17] During a later visit in 201218 I was able to complete the documentation of the exterior of the dome and of the space between the dome and the roof, thanks to the fact that I was given access to the roofs of the mosque, and was able to take photos and measurements of the facade of the prayer room and the minaret Thanks to this simple data, and once more back in the School of Arabic Studies, I was able to begin the phase of plotting. We have achieved the drawing of two complete sections of the building, one along the courtyard with the facade of the prayer room and the other longitudinal along the axis of the mosque, as well as two elevations of the minaret, always using the same procedures
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