Moorish Architectural Elements Glossary
- Zellige: Zellige, zillij 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
