18 articles tagged with islamic architecture
I've jumped out of planes in five continents, but nothing quite compares to the rush of standing where ancient Silk Road traders once haggled, schemed, and dreamed. Shymkent, Kazakhstan's vibrant southern hub, isn't on most travelers' radar—and that's exactly why...
As I stood across the Brunei River, watching the golden domes of Istana Nurul Iman Palace shimmer in the morning light, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This wasn't just any royal residence – it's the world's...
The morning call to prayer echoes across Bukhara's ancient skyline as I stand in Lyab-i-Hauz plaza, watching the first light illuminate the 16th-century Khanaka and Madrasa complex. The reflection in the central pool shivers slightly with each breeze, distorting the...
Standing on the wooden jetty at Lamu's harbor, the afternoon sun warming my face as dhows glided across the azure waters, I felt that familiar thrill of stepping into a place where time moves differently. After years in diplomatic service...
I still remember the first time I stepped into the Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba. The forest of candy-striped arches stretching into infinity literally stopped me in my tracks, and I stood there, mouth agape like the most obvious tourist ever. Ten...
The moment I stepped off the plane in Casablanca, my senses were immediately engaged in a beautiful battle for attention. This isn't the sepia-toned, Bogart-and-Bergman fantasy that many expect; it's a vibrant, complex metropolis where traditional Islamic architecture stands shoulder-to-shoulder...
I've always believed that holy cities possess a certain magic that extends far beyond their religious significance. Kairouan—Tunisia's spiritual heart and Islam's fourth holiest city—proved this theory spectacularly during my recent two-week autumn stay. While most tourists breeze through on...
The first light of dawn breaks over the Hazrati Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani mausoleum, painting the ancient dome in hues of gold and amber. I adjust my aperture, waiting for that perfect moment when the light reveals the intricate patterns...
The morning call to prayer echoes across Kandahar's ancient skyline as golden light spills over mud-brick walls that have witnessed millennia of history. I stand atop my guesthouse roof, camera in hand, watching this city of contradictions awaken. After years...
Standing before the Great Mosque of Djenné, I was struck by a profound realization: some of humanity's most enduring architectural achievements aren't built from steel and glass, but from the earth itself. This UNESCO World Heritage site in Mali represents...
There are places in this world where color transcends the visual spectrum and becomes a spiritual experience. The Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif—or Shrine of Hazrat Ali as locals reverently call it—is precisely such a place. My journey to this azure...
Standing in the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza, with my weathered ##AFFILIATE##Osprey Daylite|Osprey Daylite Daypack##/AFFILIATE## slung over my shoulder, I couldn't help but smile at the realization that I was experiencing one of humanity's greatest architectural achievements while...
The first time my daughter and I stepped into Muscat's Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with its massive crystal chandelier catching the morning light, I realized Oman would challenge everything we thought we knew about the Arabian Peninsula. After my transformative...
There are places that whisper their stories, and then there are those that boldly display their contrasts in magnificent technicolor. Bandar Seri Begawan—Brunei's compact capital—belongs firmly in the latter category. As someone who has traversed Southeast Asia extensively, I've found...
The air in Cairo carries stories thousands of years old – you can almost feel them entering your lungs with each breath, becoming part of you. That's what happened to me last fall when I finally made the journey to...