Riwaq (arcade)

Riwaq at the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in Cairo

A riwaq (or rivaq, Arabic: رواق riwāq or ruwāq^[1]) is an arcade or portico (if in front of entrances) open on at least one side.^[2] It is an architectural design element in Islamic architecture and Islamic garden design.^[3]

A riwaq often serves as the transition space between interior and outdoor spaces. As portico or arcade structure, it provides shade and adjustment to sunlight in hot climates, and cover from rain in any locale.

Arcade

As an arcade element the structure is often found surrounding and defining the courtyards (sahn) of mosques and madrasas, and used for covered circulation, meeting and rest, and ritual circumambulation. The arcade element is also found along principal walkways of larger bazaars.

Examples

Riwaq arcade examples include:

• The Saudi Riwaq - portico expansion at the Masjid al-Haram mosque Makkah^[4]
• Along the main avenues of the Bazaar of Kashan, in present-day Iran.^[5]

See also

• Index: Islamic architectural elements

References

1. Seresser, Naoum B. (1918). Mesopotamian Arabic: A Guide for Students in the Modern Arabic Language as Spoken in Mesopotamia. Thacker and Company. Gallery ... ruwāq; dihlīz. رواق . دهليز
2. "Riwaq". Archnet.org Dictionary of Islamic Architecture. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012.
3. Koepf, Hans (1968). Bildwörterbuch der Architektur. Stuttgart: A. Kröner. ISBN 3-520-19402-3. OCLC 20384461. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26.
4. "Makkah Grand Mosque expansion to be officially named 'The Saudi Riwaq'". Peninsula.
5. "Brighton Festival Brings the Riwaq, a Type of Arabic Colonnade, to the Hove Seafront, in the UK". Arch Daily.

External links