The Turks were many ethnic groups of Islam. It was also known as the Ottoman empire from the 14th-20th century. After World War 1, in 1923, it turned into present day Turkey.
Turkish Architecture
A Türbe was very popular among the Seljuq Turks in Iran, around the 11th to 13th century. The Türbe was known as a “tomb tower” and it contained the architecture of a mausoleum. Essentially a Türbe was a funerary structure that was popularly built in eastern, central, and western Anatolia. The tower shape of the tomb resembled the style of the Seljuq tents of the Mongols; cylindrical and conical. The height of towers was usually around 200 feet, which were traditionally built on a circular diagram. However, by the 12th century, square and polygonal shapes had also become popular. The Turbe is shown below:
Turkish Architecture
A Türbe was very popular among the Seljuq Turks in Iran, around the 11th to 13th century. The Türbe was known as a “tomb tower” and it contained the architecture of a mausoleum. Essentially a Türbe was a funerary structure that was popularly built in eastern, central, and western Anatolia. The tower shape of the tomb resembled the style of the Seljuq tents of the Mongols; cylindrical and conical. The height of towers was usually around 200 feet, which were traditionally built on a circular diagram. However, by the 12th century, square and polygonal shapes had also become popular. The Turbe is shown below:
Another common element in Turkish architecture is the minaret. These towers attached to mosques were used for the call to prayer five times a day. The minarets are usually spiral shaped, with a cone at the top. It is normally taller than the attached or surrounding buildings and serves as a focal point. Minarets are made of a base, a shaft, and a gallery. They also provide ventilation by the heat rising up and out of the minaret at the top. Stairs spiral around the structure on the inside and help support the shape of the tower. The muezzin, who gives the call to prayer, is better able to be heard from a distance by his placement up in the air. The practicality of this structure is similar to the practicality of the Mongolian homes in that the design is based on the use. By elevating the muezzin, the Turks created a better way to contact Muslims and a more effective communication method.
Chinese vs. Turks
The Turkish and Chinese architecture were much more similar than that of the Mongols and Chinese. The Turk architecture was again much less advanced, complex, and detailed than the Chinese architecture. The Turk Türbe on the above is much more similar to the Chinese pagoda, which is shown on the Chinese Architecture page, as it takes a more polygonal shape and has a winged outline of the structure below the roof. The Chinese pagoda has this winged outline on the outside of the entire structure at each level. Additionally, both the Chinese pagoda and the Turk Türbe were influenced by earlier architecture of their culture. For example, Chinese pagoda towers originated from the smaller, more simple towers built by the Tang Dynasty. In addition, the Turk Türbe tower shape of the tomb resembled the style of the Seljuq tents: cylindrical and conical. The similarities between these two types of architecture could only have happened as a result of the Mongols conquest. By interacting with cultures in the east and the west, these warriors brought elements of Chinese and Turkish architecture everywhere they went. With the movement of the Mongols, the original designs of the Chinese and Turks also moved.
Works Cited
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Turbe (mausoleum)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Chinese vs. Turks
The Turkish and Chinese architecture were much more similar than that of the Mongols and Chinese. The Turk architecture was again much less advanced, complex, and detailed than the Chinese architecture. The Turk Türbe on the above is much more similar to the Chinese pagoda, which is shown on the Chinese Architecture page, as it takes a more polygonal shape and has a winged outline of the structure below the roof. The Chinese pagoda has this winged outline on the outside of the entire structure at each level. Additionally, both the Chinese pagoda and the Turk Türbe were influenced by earlier architecture of their culture. For example, Chinese pagoda towers originated from the smaller, more simple towers built by the Tang Dynasty. In addition, the Turk Türbe tower shape of the tomb resembled the style of the Seljuq tents: cylindrical and conical. The similarities between these two types of architecture could only have happened as a result of the Mongols conquest. By interacting with cultures in the east and the west, these warriors brought elements of Chinese and Turkish architecture everywhere they went. With the movement of the Mongols, the original designs of the Chinese and Turks also moved.
Works Cited
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Turbe (mausoleum)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.