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Show .-..avvzvx-:xs-x-:i-:-x-:x:-3:-:-x-:-i-:-i-m-m-:im:-x:-x-:-x-:-z-:x-:-x- j Mosque Fine Specimen of Arab Architecture j The pride of the Jloslem world Is the mosque of the Omayyads. 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 swnrdmakers came to a tragic end, and never since has Damascus produced its famous sword blade, once the most treasured arm of ihe oriental warrior. The mosque of the Omavvads is a typical specimen of Arab religious architecture, and differs from the Turkish mosques by the absence of 'he big central cupola. A huge oblong- j shaped building, tMth an open o..urt I and quadrangular minarets, its plain exterior is likely to mislead the visitor, vis-itor, who, once within the precincts of the sanctuary, stands dunifounded j with an overwhelming impression of splendor. The halls surrounding the court are of such vast dimensions that Ihey hold several chapels of the daintl- I est structure, which in themselves are large enough to be temples. The floor is covered throughout with the most luxu-ious carpets. Edward J. Bins, in Cun.-nt History Magazine. |
