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Show .;-x-:-x-:-x-moxox-m-:-x-:-x-m-:-X':-x-:-x-:-x-M'M-m-:-x.m.:-x-:-x:-x-m-:-x-:-zm- Mosque Fine Specimen of Arab Architecture The pride of the Moslem world Is the mosque of the Omayyaris. It was erected by that famous dynasty of caliphs and rebuilt after its destruction destruc-tion by fire on the occasion of the conquest con-quest of Damascus by the Mongol hordes of Tamerlane. It was then that the once famous craft of Damascene Dama-scene swonlmakers came to a tragic end. and never since has Damascus produced its famous sword blade, once the most treasured arm of the oriental warrior. The mosque of the Omayyads is a typical specimen of Arab religious architecture, and differs from the Turkish mosques by the absence of the his central cupola. A huge oblong-shaped oblong-shaped building, with an open vurt . and quadrangular minarets. Its plain exterior is likely to mislead the visitor, vis-itor, who, once within the precincts of the sanctuary, stands dumfounded with an overwhelming iinpres-sion of splendor. The halls surrounding the court are of such vast dimensions that they hold several chapels of the daintiest dainti-est structure, which in themselves are large enough to be temples. The floor is covered throughout with the most luxurious carpets. Edward J. Eing. in Current History Magazine. |