Orientalism in the Orient - elements of the Moorish style in the sacred Muslim buildings of Istanbul

Abstract

The sacred Muslim architecture of Istanbul represents an exceptional phenomenon on a world scale. Istanbul, because of its location on two continents, belongs simultaneously to two cultures: Europe and Asia (in the Middle Eastern version). This city could be regarded as a bridge connecting two different lands and cultures, as a melting pot where a new product is created from various components, and also as being on the outskirts of both Europe and Asia. Istanbul belongs completely to neither Europe, nor Asia.