Page "Mosque" Paragraph 43

Arab-plan or hypostyle mosques are the earliest type of mosques, pioneered under the Umayyad Dynasty.

These mosques have square or rectangular plans with an enclosed courtyard and covered prayer hall.

Historically, in the warm Middle Eastern and Mediterranean climates, the courtyard served to accommodate the large number of worshippers during Friday prayers.

Most early hypostyle mosques had flat roofs on prayer halls, which required the use of numerous columns and supports.

One of the most notable hypostyle mosques is the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, the building being supported by over 850 columns.

Frequently, hypostyle mosques have outer arcades so that visitors can enjoy the shade.

Arab-plan mosques were constructed mostly under the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties ; subsequently, however, the simplicity of the Arab plan limited the opportunities for further development, the mosques consequently losing popularity.