Author: Azeezah
1. Alhambra (Spain)
A palace and fortress complex in Granada, built by the Nasrid dynasty. It exemplifies Islamic art and architecture. It is known for its intricate tilework, fountains, and gardens.
2. Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spain)
Once the largest mosque in the world, the mosque-cathedral features stunning Islamic architecture with horseshoe arches, a mihrab, and detailed mosaics.
3. Medina of Fez (Morocco)
One of the best-preserved old cities in the Arab-Muslim world, the Medina is home to religious schools, mosques, and souks that date back to the 9th century.
4. Hassan II Mosque (Morocco)
Located in Casablanca, this mosque is one of the largest in the world and features Moorish architecture with intricate tilework, wood carvings, and a glass floor overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
5. Samarra Archaeological City (Iraq)
A major Islamic capital during the Abbasid Caliphate, it contains the Great Mosque and the iconic Malwiya Minaret, showcasing Islamic architectural advancements.
6. Great Mosque of Djenné (Mali)
The largest mud-brick building in the world, it is a center of learning and Islamic scholarship, located in one of the oldest cities in sub-Saharan Africa.
7. Palace of the Shirvanshahs (Azerbaijan)
A UNESCO site in Baku, showcasing medieval Islamic architecture from the Shirvanshah dynasty with a blend of residential and religious buildings.
8. Historic Cairo (Egypt)
One of the greatest cities of the Islamic world, Historic Cairo is home to mosques, madrassas, and tombs that reflect the rich history of the Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods.
9. Timbuktu (Mali)
A historic centre of Islamic learning, known for its mosques, such as Djinguereber and Sankore, and for its wealth of ancient manuscripts in the Qur’anic schools.
10. Old City of Sana’a (Yemen)
The ancient city, with its towering, multi-story rammed earth houses, reflects Islamic culture and architecture dating back to the early days of Islam.
11. Umayyad Mosque (Syria)
Located in Damascus, one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world, known for its stunning mosaics and history as a major religious centre in the Islamic world.
12. Mosque City of Bagerhat (Bangladesh)
A historic city known for its many mosques and Islamic monuments, such as the Sixty Dome Mosque, showcasing Bengal’s Islamic architectural style.
13. Citadel of Aleppo (Syria)
Part of the Ancient City of Aleppo, it is one of the oldest and largest castles in the world, dating back to at least the 3rd millennium BC. UNESCO inscribed Aleppo as a World Heritage Site in 1986.
14. The Great Mosque of Samarra (Iraq)
Located in the Samarra Archaeological City, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. The mosque is famous for its spiral minaret, known as the Malwiya Tower.
15. Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia)
This is the oldest mosque in the Maghreb, dating back to the 7th century, and was inscribed on UNESCO’s list in 1988 as part of the Medina of Kairouan.
16. Dome of the Rock (Al Aqsa)
Included as part of the Old City of Al Aqsa and its Walls, this site was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The Dome of the Rock is an iconic Islamic shrine.
17. Hagia Sophia (Turkey)
Originally a Byzantine cathedral, later converted to a mosque, Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul.
18. Süleymaniye Mosque (Turkey)
Also part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul, this grand mosque, built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
19. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) (Turkey)
The Blue Mosque is also part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul and shares the UNESCO World Heritage designation since 1985.
20. Jameh Mosque of Isfahan (Iran)
The Jameh Mosque of Isfahan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2012. It is a grand mosque that demonstrates the evolution of Iranian Islamic architecture over twelve centuries.
21. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan (Iran)
Also known as Imam Square, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It is one of the largest public squares in the world, surrounded by beautiful examples of Safavid architecture.