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The Ottoman Mosques in the Old Town of Rhodes
Island
(Sultan Suleiman Mosque, Murad Reis Mosque, Sultan Mustafa Mosque, Mehmet Aga mosque)
By
Mohamed Abd el-wadood Abd el-azim Abd el-wahab
Assistant Lecturer -Fayoum University
A Thesis Submitted to the Department of
Archaeology and History of Art
In partialfulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Ph.D.
Under the Supervision of
Prof. Dr. Maria Panayotidi
Professor of Byzantine Archaeology Athens University
Prof. Dr. Sofia Kalopissi
Professor of Byzantine Archaeology Athens University
Dr. Stavros Mamaloukos
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Engineering-University of Patra
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DEDICATION
To Spirit of My Professor Mona Bader
God Bless Her
&
To My Family
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Contents
Dedication:
Contents:…………...……………………………………………………………….. iii
Introduction……………………………………………………………………….... v
Glossary:……………………………………………………………………………. ix
Bibliography –Abbreviations……………………………………………………… 1
1. Historical introduction:
The Relation between the Muslims and the Island of Rhodes……………. 10
2.Part1-The Description Study: ……...………………………………………….. 22
2.1.Sultan Suleiman Mosque (The Magnificent) 1523-1808…. 23
2.2.Murad Reis Mosque 1050/1640 -1212/1797(cid:46)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:46)(cid:46)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:46) 51
2.3.Sultan Mustafa Mosque 1764-1765(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:46)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:46)(cid:46)(cid:8230)(cid:46)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:8230)(cid:46)(cid:46) 68
2.4. Mehmet Aga mosque 1820-1887………….……..……...... 91
3. Part2-The Analytical Study.
3.1.Chapter One:
The Types of Ottoman Mosques …………………..……………...……..… 114
3.2. Chapter Two:
The Architectural Elements of Rhodes Mosques……………………...….…... 135
3.2.1.The Foundations……………………...….….………………… .. 136
3.2.2. The Load-bearing Elements ……………………...….…………. 137
3.2.2.1.The Walls…………………...….….…………………………… 137
3.2.2.2.The Columns…………………...….….………………………. 139
3.2.2.3.The Arches. …………………...….….………………………. .. 140
a-Pointed Arch.
b-Indented Pointed Arch.
c-Semi-Circular Arch.
d-Segmental Arch the (Equilateral arch).
e-Bursa Arch.
f-Polifoiled Arch.
3.2.2.4.The floors.…………………...….….………………………… 148
3.2.3. The Entrances…………………...….….……………………….. 149
3.2.4. The Windows.…………………...….….……………………….. 151
3.2.5. The Pew or the wooden compartment…………………...….….. 153
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3.2.6. The Stalactites…………………...….….………………………… 156
3.2.7. The Mihrab (ThePrayer-niche).………………...….….………. 158
8. The Minbar (the pulpit- the preacher's tribune).…...….….………. 159
3.2.9. The Koran Reciter seat(Dekket Al Moqri'a).....….…………...... 164
3.2.10.The Minarets. ………………...….….…………………………… 165
3.2.11. The Roofing Methods. ………………...….….………………….. 170
a-Domes.
b-Gable Roof (the mansard).
b-Vaults.
3.2.12. The Stairs.………………...….….……………………………. 177
3.2.13. The Fountain.………………...….….………………………… 182
3.3.Chapter Three:
The Building Materials of Rhodes Mosques………..………………………... 183
3.3.1. Stone. ………..………………………...………..………….......... 186
3.3.2. Wood. ………..………………………...………..………………. 188
3.3.3. Mortar. ………..………………………...………..…………….. 189
3.3.4. Iron. ………..………………………...………..……………...…. 191
3.4.Chapter Four:
The Factorsimpacting on the Planning of the Religious Architecture in Rhodes …... 193
3.4.1. Environmental factors and their impact upon religious building
architecture and plans …………...………………………….. 195
3.4.2. Religious factors and its impact on mosque architecture………... 203
3.4.3. Technical factors and its impact upon religious building architecture .209
a-Sanctity rights of road organization line
b-Engineer genius and his methods of architectural treatment
c-Available area and style unity.
d-The relationship of the mosque with its surroundings
4. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………. 218
6. Listoffigures………………………................…………………………............ 222
7.List ofplates………………...……….…………………………………………… 225
8.The Figures……...………………………………………………………………. 232
9.The Plates……...………………………………………………………………… 290
(cid:105)(cid:118)
Introduction
The Islamic architecture may grab the attention of many historians and archaeologists
in different fields especially in the last century, but what may be clear in most of the
historical writings are these clear shortcomings especially concerning the Muslim role in
medieval cultural life and especially in the field of Islamic architecture. The aim of this
research is to bring forth these shortcomings focusing on the Ottoman religious architecture
in Rhodes Island.
The subject of the present thesis is: «The Ottoman Mosques in the Old Town of
Rhodes Island». Starting with introduction as a historical back ground, examine the relation
between the Muslims and the ruler of Rhodes island from early Islamic period till Ottoman
occupation in 1522-3 A.D.this first chapter based mainly on the historians writings.
The research is divided into two main parts;
The first part of the research is the description studies; describing the mosques as it
stands. It concerning mainly with the structure, elements and decorations and its many usual
features for the Ottoman period. As known; that the old town of Rhodes has seven mosques
inside the fortress and other two mosques out side the fortress of the town, I had chosen four
examples ofthese mosques represented in:
1. Sultan Suleiman mosque.
2. Murad Reis mosque.
3. Sultan Mustafa mosque.
4. Mehmet Aga mosque.
I think that these four mosques representing a complete idea about the Ottoman
architecture in the Island and give us clear visions to the mosque types in Rhodes, its designs,
architectural elements, and its decorative. I had classified all mosques to types depending on
its plans and then I had exam one example from each type. I make a comparison study inside
(cid:118)
the text to the plans, elements, building materials, and unites of building of the mosques
inside Rhodesand outside it.
Second Part; is the analytical study. The first chapter; defining the types of Ottoman
Mosques in general and then the types of Rhodes(cid:59) thischapter examines the different plans of
early Ottoman mosques inside. This early mosques were classified into to mai n types: Bursa
I, Bursa II, Bursa III, and the classical type of Ottoman mosque. As a result of my study, the
Ottoman mosques in Rhodes had affected all the impacts which effected and influenced
ottoman architecture in generally, so it was necessary for me to mention those types. In the
same time there is no chance here to deal with all the features of Islamic architecture in
Ottoman Europe in details that needs a lot of books. So in this chapter we will deal only with
a deep analytic study of the Ottoman religious buildings inside and outside of Rhodes
including different architectural types, especially the mosques, which considered the nerve of
Islamic architecture. But the rest of units and architectural elements, inscriptions and
decorations, we will deal with them simply which serve our study only.
The second chapter is titled with «The Architectural Elements of the Mosques». This
chapter goes in a deep analysis of the elements which help the mosque to achieve it function.
The third chapter examines the technique and the building materials of Ottoman's
mosques; it views the tradition of Ottomans in reuse the materials from the previous periods
in their buildings and the influences of the spolia in the designs of the mosques.
Chapter four examines the impacts and the considerations which affected on the
architectural designs of the Ottoman religious buildings in Rhodes like; the Sites, available
areas, environmental impacts, and religious factors.
(cid:118)(cid:105)
Hence, the comparison of various elements with contemporary Ottoman monuments,
separating thus the original from later additions and restoration work and showing the
originality of several decorative and architectural features of Rhodes mosques.
The last part is the catalogue which has the maps of the Island, the maps of mosques
locations, the figures concerning plans and sections of the mosques, details for its elements
and then the Plats of the mosques and its elements have been added to complement the text.
The research reaches a number of conclusive points that the Ottoman architecture has
played a major and important role in the making of medieval cultural life.
Finally, throughout the period of this research, I have been helped by many people
who have presented invaluable assistance through one way or another.
There is firstly Professor Maria Panaiotidi who supervised this thesis with a great
interest. She was always supportive and never hesitated to provide me with references
throughout the period of the research. I wish to take this opportunity to tell her that I am
really proud to be one of her students.
I also wish to extend my thanks to Professor Sofia Kalopissi for her support and
valuable remarks about the research which helped me a lot to strengthen my arguments and
for her moral support during the research wishing her all the best of luck in her live.
My most sincere gratitude is conveyed to Dr. Stavros Mamaloukos under whose
unfailing supervision this thesis was done and for his pertinent guidance and useful
suggestions.
I would not be just to end this acknowledgement without making grateful appreciation
to all men and women of the 4th Ephorat of Byzantine Antiquities in the old town of Rhodes,
especially Mrs. Maria Michaelidou, the Director of 4th Ephorat, and Mrs. Ana Maria
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Karathemou for them assistance. I extend my deep gratitude to Engineer Keriakos Maghos in
regarding the Plans and sections of Rhodes mosques and primary sources as well as his
fruitful discussions are highly acknowledged.
My thanks go also to Mrs. Khristina, librarians at the library of Rhodes Old town and
extend my thanks to Engineer Stamates Soteraki for them help.
I also owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my wife Marwa Sharaky and to my son
Khaled, I am eternally grateful to them for their encouragement and patience throughout my
whole life and sincerely hope to find other ways then little words to show them my gratitude.
Though last not least to my colleagues in the department of Byzantine Archaeology in
Athens University: Anna, Kelly and Dora. And in my Faculty of Archaeology in Cairo and
Fayoum University Dr. Ahmed Ameen, I dedicate my grateful thoughts for their love and
friendship.
Athens
1stJunuary.2010
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Glossary
Ablution: the purity before the prayer.
Cami: grand mosque.
Dekka: compartment in mosques for the official governors and leaders in opposite wall of the
Qibla wall.It is also called dekkat al Mubalegh.
Dodecanse: the Greek 12thIsland in Mediterranean Sea near to Turkey.
El Fatih(cid:58)the Conqueror
Haram: the open court yard in the front of the Mosque.
Hospitaller: the Knights of St. John.
Iski Cami: the old mosque.
Imam: leader of communal prayers.
Iwan or Iyvan:hall closed on three sides covered with a vault or dome.
Jeshma,asmall fountain in streets to get the water for the peoples.
Joggled: stone fitted together like jigsaw voussoirs that make up an arch.
Ka’ba: the black stone in the grand mosque at Mecca.
Khatib: the Imam who says the Friday sermon in the mosque.
Khutba: sermon at the communal prayer on Friday.
Kourassani: hydraulic mortar containing lime and ground ceramic material in a ratio of 1:3
anexcellent waterproofing material in water thanks, vaults, domes, etc.
Kursi; bench.
Madrassa: college of religious education.
Masjid: a small mosque.
Mihrab: arched niche in qibla wall of religious building (prayer niche).
Minbar: pulpit from which the sermon was given at communal prayers.
Moăzin: the caller for prayers.
Muqri,a:the reader of Koran.
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Mus,haf: the Holy Koran.
Muŭbaligh: the man who reciting and repeating the Imam orders.
Muqarnas: vaulting technique consisting of brackets and dome fragments.
Qibla :the direction of Mecca.
Rukaa: one type of Arabic calligraphy.
Sadrevani: fountain.
Sahn: the open court-yard fronting or middle theprayer area of the mosque.
Salat: the prayer.
Serboush: composed of "Ser", meaning head, and "boush", meaning cover, with an
engrossed meaning of head cover of summit crowning(cid:46)
Shahada:the Islamic declaration of faith; “la ilah ila allah , Muhammad Rasul Allah”, there
is no deity but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Spolia: reused architectural members from older ruined buildings.
Sunna: the practice of Prophet Muhammad, and after him, that of Muslim community.
Tekye: religious building assigned for residence some old men and religious men - like
Monastery.
Thuluth: monumental cursive script.
Transpit or Nave: the axial aisle leading to the Prayer niche from the main entrance.
Turba: mausoleum.
Wakf:religious endowment.
(cid:120)
Description:The Islamic architecture may grab the attention of many historians and archaeologists in different fields especially in the last century, but what may be clear in most of the historical writings are these clear shortcomings especially concerning the Muslim role in medieval cultural life and especial
