Beautiful Islamic architecture from around the world -

Whether prevalent in mosques, palaces, tombs or bath houses, Islamic architecture is impossible to miss. Its distinctive style is awash with colorful tiles, plaster work, and marble, as well as exquisitely crafted domes, arches, and pillars.

Discover the architectural jewels of this building style that are spread across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

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Morocco -

A stunning pointed arch doorway, decorated with intricate carvings in sandstone and plaster.

(Photo by Annie Spratt)

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Malaysia -

Arial view of the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

(Photo by Fahrul Azmi)

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Morocco -

A riad (traditional Moroccan palace) in Marrakech, complete with ornate wall tiling, horseshoe arch, and central courtyard fountain.

(Photo by Toa Heftiba)

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Iran - The Nasir-al-molk Mosque in Shiraz is also known as the Pink Mosque, but why?

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Iran - It's because of the pink color of the tiles and glass used to decorate the interior of the mosque.

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Turkey -

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is decorated with 21,000 ceramic tiles inside.

(Photo by Fatih Yürür)

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Turkey -

Pendentives that support the dome of the Blue Mosque are painted with stunning decorative designs. 

(Photo by Senor Sosa)

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Israel - The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is a 7th century shrine, and was the first Islamic building to use the now typical dome.

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Israel -

It stands out for its exquisite decoration of blue tiles and niches.

(Photo by Dan Gold)

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Israel -

The shrine's original wooden dome was only plated with gold in the 16th century.

(Photo by John T)

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Morocco - Horseshoe doorways in the famous blue city of Chefchaouen in Morocco.

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Pakistan -

The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore is a stunning piece of Mughal architecture that was completed in 1673.

(Photo by Hussain Ibrahim)

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United Arab Emirates -

Horseshoe arches and pillars set with mother-of-pearl adorn the interiors of the decadent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi.

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United Arab Emirates -

The mosque was completed in 2007 and contains many distinctive features of Islamic architecture, such as horseshoe arches and domes.

(Photo by Ryan Miglinczy)

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United Arab Emirates - With six minarets and a capacity for 40,000 worshipers, it is the largest mosque in the country.

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Spain -

View from just one of the dark enclaves in the Alhambra, a spectacular complex of Moorish palaces in the south of Spain.

(Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo)

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Spain - An outsider's view of Andalusia's stunning Alhambra. The Moorish citadel was influenced by both Islamic and Christian influences throughout the centuries.

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Spain - The Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones) sits in the very heart of the Alhambra complex and its white marble fountain is hugely important in Muslim architecture.

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Iran - Construction of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan started in 771, with renovations and additions to the structure only being completed in the 20th century.

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Iran - The mosque's main archway has stunning blue tiling and is further decorated with muqarnas—niche-like cells—that are a common feature of Islamic architecture.

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India -

Humayun's Tomb in Delhi was apparently the inspiration behind the structure of the Taj Mahal. It's stunning sandstone is inlaid with marble pietra dura. 

(Photo by Raghu Nayyar)

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India -

Kau Ban, a red sandstone mosque in the Taj Mahal complex, rises above cold morning mist.

(Photo by Varshesh Joshi)

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India -

The dazzling white marble Taj Mahal was built as a tomb for a Mughal emperor's favorite wife in the 17th century.

(Photo by Annie Spratt)

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India - The Taj Mahal's four minarets were built slightly tilted away from the main tomb, so that if they collapse they won't damage it.

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Egypt - The Madrasa of Sultan Hassan and the Mosque of Al Rifai in Cairo.

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Spain - The Maidens Courtyard (Patio de las Doncellas) in the Alcázar of Seville boasts many Islamic multifoil arches around a central courtyard.

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Spain - Another view of the courtyard, which shows off its multifoil arches and exquisite tile work.

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Morocco - Inside the Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa, an ancient Koran school in Marrakech.

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Morocco - A central rain pool and courtyard inside the Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa Koran school in Marrakech.

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Iran - This stunning ogee arch from the main entrance of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan is vaulted with muqarnas.

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Iran - The hundreds of little plaster cells create a mesmerizing "honeycomb" effect.

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India - Charminar is both a mosque and a monument located in Hyderabad. The landmark's name translates as "four minarets."

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India - The mosque is located on the top floor.

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Iran - The Si-o-se-pol, also known as the Allahverdi Khan Bridge, is a stunning example of Safavid architecture in Isfahan.

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Morocco - The Hassan II Mosque has the tallest minaret in the world, standing at 210 m (about 688 ft) tall.

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Morocco - Light shines through lattice work in the Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca.

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Morocco - Ornate tiles decorate the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.

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Spain - Thousands of striped arches decorate the interiors of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

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Spain - The Mosque-Cathedral comprises a Renaissance cathedral in the center of a former mosque.

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Turkey - The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has formerly been a church and a mosque. Today, it is a museum, but its minarets stand as testament to its Islamic past.

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Turkey - The interiors of the Hagia Sophia museum. Ornate pendentives and the interior of the dome can be seen, decorated with Islamic and Christian symbols.

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Saudi Arabia - The city of Mecca is home to the holiest mosque in Islam, Al-Masjid Al-Ḥarām.

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Morocco - This grand gate marks the entrance to the King of Morocco's palace in Fez.

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Syria - This ornate octagonal structure is the Dome of the Treasury, and it was built in the Umayyad Mosque in 789.

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India - Stunning pietra dura stonework on the exterior of the tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, often referred to as the baby Taj Mahal.

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Iran - The iridescent dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is lavishly decorated with tiles on the exterior and measures 13 m (43 ft) in diameter.

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Iran - The mosque is considered a jewel of Iranian architecture.

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Iran - The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque's decoration is decadent, both inside and out!

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India - One of India's largest mosques is the Jama Masjid, which lies in the heart of Old Delhi. It was completed in 1656 and can fit 25,000 worshipers in its outer courtyard.

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Tunisia - Barber's Mosque in Kairouan boasts stunning tile work and marble pillars.

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Tunisia - Exquisite tiling lines the walls of the Great Mosque of Kairouan.

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Tunisia - And its corridors and walkways are set with exquisite plaster work.

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Iran - The Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse was built in 16th century and is still operational today. It features many beautiful arches and domes with convex glass that allow light in but maintain bathers' privacy!

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Malaysia - Modern style lattice screens decorate the inside of the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Shah Alam.

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Malaysia -

This mosque has four minarets and was opened in 1988.

(Photo by Izuddin Helmi Adnan)

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Malaysia - A view of the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque at night.

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Spain - The Giralda in Seville was once the minaret of the Great Mosque of Seville. However, it was later transformed into the bell tower of Seville Cathedral.

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India - A sandstone minaret, inlaid with marble, stands tall in lands surrounding the abandoned palace at Fatehpur Sikri, in Uttar Pradesh.

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India - Sandstone and marble archways at the Jama Masjid mosque at Fatehpur Sikri.

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India -

Sikandra fort at Agra. The sandstone ogee arches are inlaid with marble and topped with four impressive minarets.

See also: Time travel through the futuristic architecture of Zaha Hadid

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