Die Gewölbe der Großen Moschee von Córdoba und der islamische Osten. Ursprung, Verbreitung und Auflösung eines Wölbsystems

Abstract

The vaults of the Great Mosque of Córdoba, constructed for al-Hakam II around 965, are the oldest vaults known so far, in which a system of crossing ribs circumscribe a central compartment occupied by a dome or a lantern. For this type of vaulting the term ›non-radial ribbed vault‹ is introduced here. In order to clarify the controversially discussed question about the origin of this type of vault the study conducted by André Godard in 1949 on Iranian vaulting systems is revaluated and the ribbed vaults of oriental Islamic architecture are examined. The conclusions support the hypothesis proposed earlier that the non-radial ribbed vault is of Persian origin. In addition the article describes how this type of vaulting spread in the west from Córdoba to North Africa and in the east from Isfahan to Samarkand. During this process the model of Cordoba and Isfahan was transformed. In general the development from a structural to a decorative function of the ribbed vaulting may be noticed. While in the east the ribs were hidden behind an ornamental shell, in the west the ribs were integrated into the plaster and received a purely decorative meaning.