Moorish Architectural Elements Glossary

  • ZelligeZelligezillij or zellij (Arabic: [zˈliʑ] (Arabic: الزليج‎‎) is tilework made from individually chiseled geometric tiles set into a plaster base.[1] This form of Islamic art is one of the main characteristics of Moroccan architecture. It consists of geometrically patterned mosaics, used to ornament walls, ceilings, fountains, floors, pools and tables.
  • Mashrabiya : (مشربية), also either shanshūl (شنشول) or rūshān (روشان), is the Arabic term given to a type of projecting oriel window enclosed with carved wood latticework located on the second storey of a building.
  • Ablaq
  • (Ar.) Term used to describe alternating light and dark courses of masonry
  • Ajimez
  • (Sp.) A pair of windows sharing a central column
  • Akhi
  • (Ar.) Guilds of artisans and craftsmen, sometimes living and working in communities
  • Alicatado
  • (Sp.) Ceramic mosaic, particularly that using geometric decorative motifs
  • Al-Fann
  • (Ar.) Art
  • A.H.
  • Anno Hegira, the Muslim lunar calendar, dating from 622 C.E.
  • Artesonado
  • (Sp.) Wooden panelled ceiling
  • Ataurique
  • (Sp.) Arabesque decoration using abstract vegetal elements
  • Azulejos
  • (Sp.) Decorative ceramic tiles
  • Band-i-rumi
  • (Per.) Geometric interlace pattern
  • Banna'i
  • (Per.) Decorative brickwork, including that using glazed bricks
  • Bayt al-mal
  • (Ar.) Treasury; in Friday mosques a room raised on columns in the courtyard
  • Caravanserai
  • (Gen.) combined hostel and trading centre, providing accommodation for travellers, merchants and animals, found both in towns and along major trade routes
  • Eslimi
  • (Per.) Arabesque decoration using abstract vegetal elements
  • Fatiha
  • (Ar.) Book illumination, particularly of Qur'an
  • Funduq
  • (Ar.) Caravanserai
  • Gunbad
  • (Per.) also Gumbaz (Ind.) Dome; domed Tomb
  • Hakkaki
  • (Ar.) Ceramic inlay
  • Hazar Baf
  • (Per.) Decorative brickwork
  • Hammam
  • (Gen.) Bath House (public or private)
  • Han
  • (Tur.) Caravanserai
  • Haram
  • (Gen.) Private quarters of house; sanctuary of Mosque
  • Haveli
  • (Ind.) Residential building complex, often multi-storied
  • Hazarbaf
  • (Per.) Decorative brickwork
  • Hegira
  • (Gen.) The Muslim lunar calendar, dating from 622 C.E.
  • Imamzadeh
  • (Per.) Tomb of saint or holy man
  • Iwan
  • (Per.) (Tur.) Vaulted hall, walled on three sides, with one end open
  • Jali
  • (Ind.) Lattice; pierced stone screen
  • Jami Masjid
  • (Gen.) Friday, or congregational Mosque
  • Karkhana
  • (also Khitabkhan(Pers.) Royal workshops for the applied arts
  • Kashi
  • (Per.) Ceramic architectural decoration
  • Khan
  • (Per.) Caravanserai
  • Khanqah
  • (Gen.) Sufi convent
  • Kulliyat
  • (also Kulliye(Ar.) Architectural complex, usually including Mosque, Hospital, School etc.
  • Lazo
  • (Sp.) Interlaced geometrical pattern
  • Madrassa
  • also Madrasah, Medresse (Gen.) Educational institutions, usually with sleeping and working accommodation for students
  • Maristan
  • (Ar.) Hospital
  • Mashrabiyya
  • (Ar.) Wooden screen covering windows or balconies
  • Masjid
  • (Gen.) Mosque
  • Mihrab
  • (Gen.) Niche used to indicate the direction of prayer in Mosques
  • Minar
  • (Gen.) Minaret; tower-like structure associated with Mosques, used for the adhan, the call to prayer
  • Minbar
  • (Gen.) Pulpit
  • Mishkah
  • (Ar.) Niche for a lamp
  • Moarraq
  • (Per.) Ceramic mosaic
  • Mu'arraq kari
  • (Ir.) Glazed tile-mosaic
  • Muqarnas
  • (Gen.) System of niches and projected 'stalactites', used as a transitional and decorative device in architecture
  • Naqqash
  • (Gen.) Designer of architectural decoration
  • Nakkashkhan
  • (Tur.) Royal workshops for the applied arts
  • Pishtaq
  • (Per.) Monumental panels framing arch-front of Iwan
  • Qal'a
  • (Ar.) Castle, fortress or citadel
  • Qashani
  • (Ar.) Ceramic tiling
  • Qasr
  • (Ar.) Palace or mansion
  • Qibla
  • (Gen.) Wall indicating the direction of Mecca, hence of prayer
  • Qubba
  • (Ar.) Dome; shrine
  • Rahlah
  • (Ar.) Folding stand for holding the Qur'an
  • Riwaq
  • (Ar.) Arcade or portico, open on one side
  • Rumi
  • (Tur.) Arabesque decoration using abstract vegetal elements
  • Sabil
  • (Tur.) Drinking fountain
  • Sahn
  • Courtyard of Mosque
  • Serai
  • (Ar.) Palace
  • Taq
  • (Per.) Arch
  • Tawriq
  • (Ar.) Arabesque decoration using abstract vegetal elements
  • Turbe
  • (also Turba(Gen.) Mausoleum
  • Ulu Cami
  • (Tur.) Friday, or congregational Mosque
  • Wakala
  • (Ar.) Urban complex, combining Caravanserai, warehouse and market
  • Waqf
  • (Ar.) Pious architectural foundation of public utility (i.e. of Mosques, Hospitals, Baths, Fountains etc.}
  • Zanana
  • (Ind.) Women's quarters in a palace or house
  • Zilij
  • (also Zellij(Ar.) North African term for glazed tiles