Awesome Arches by Rachael D https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub Distinguishing doorway designs en-us 2020-04-30 20:04:30 UTC 2025-12-23 23:40:46 UTC hello@padlet.com Great Mosque of Córdoba earthyldsgirl https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/542988467 Unknown Artists, La Mezquita, 780, Moors of Spain 

The Great Mosque of Cordoba has arches inside and out, beautiful domes, and architecture borrowed from Romans, Moors and Catholics all in one large complex.  In many parts of Spain the old buildings were torn down when power changed hands. In Cordoba the city council stopped the Catholic church from destroying the Mosque and instead incorporated it into the church design. The styles don’t always blend well and make for many interesting and unique vignettes as you wander the gardens and halls. These multifoil arches are one of those unique areas. They are the entrance of the maqsura, the special area in front of the mihrab prayer niche, that is reserved for rulers. These attention grabbing arches let you know you are entering a special, sacred area. ]]> 2020-04-30 20:19:19 UTC https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/542988467 Ishtar Gate earthyldsgirl https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/543013727 Unknown Artists, Ishtar Gate, 525 BCE, Glazed brick and tile, Babylonian

Everything about the Ishtar Gate is imposing and impressive. Dragons, bulls and lions guard, greet, or guide you through the archway. Constructed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II in 575 BCE, it is part of a pathway used during New Year’s celebrations and is dedicated to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. Made of glazed bricks and tiles, the dominating blue is punctuated with animals and designs in gold and beige. The gate is imposing at 38 feet high and is the 8th gate into Babylon on the half mile walkway.]]> 2020-04-30 20:35:23 UTC https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/543013727 Santa Costanza earthyldsgirl https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/543025096 Unknown Artists, Santa Costanza, (337-351), masonry, Roman

Built by Constantine as a mausoleum for his daughter Constantia (or Constanza), the centrally planned building was converted into a church in 1256. The area pictured is the ambulatory and central dome. Tall double columns with Corinthian caps hold up arches leading to the interior. Mosaic tiles with Christian symbolism fill the ceiling of the ambulatory and central dome. Clerestory windows provide light. Other than the altar in the center, everything in the room draws your eyes up, not least of which the semi circles you walk under. 


]]> 2020-04-30 20:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/543025096 The arches in a building direct our path and tell us where to look and where to go. They are the gateway into and out of a space. Made to step through, arches can be so attractive we want to step back to admire them. From the Babylonian blue tiled Ishtar Gate to the poly-lobed arches in the "little mosque" in central Spain, each archway was meant to draw us in, in more ways than one. They reflect the styles of their culture and materials available to the artisans. They also convey a message; is it a welcome or a warning? earthyldsgirl https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/543027284 2020-04-30 20:44:20 UTC https://padlet.com/earthyldsgirl/ygje5rq8f1yrvuub/wish/543027284