Malwiya Minaret, Iraq

 Built from 848 to 852, this sandstone tower is part of one of the biggest mosque in the world. The tower used to be connected to the actual prayer building by a bridge that no longer exists. The name Malwiya actually pertains to the shape of the structure. It means "snail shell" and is clearly obvious as to why the structure has been dubbed so.The structure is often times assumed to be a tower used for the call to prayer, but due to its extreme height it was actually impractical for such a use. Instead, it was just a statement piece, speaking to the presence of Islam in that area. There is a room at the top of this tower with eight arch windows though, that is used as a lookout point. In fact, in recent years, it has been used by American troops as a lookout point. That is a contributing factor to its current damaged state. Knowing that US Troops used this tower for such a purpose, it has been bombed by opposing forces often and so the top room and spiral staircase has been damaged.

Comments

  1. Chanese22 July 2015 at 13:11

    What a beautiful structure. I hope that it will be repaired and that it will be back to its grandeur.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Giant's Causeway

Image
 The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast is a spectacular area of global geological importance on the sea coast at the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland. The most characteristic and unique feature of the site is the exposure of some 40,000 large, regularly shaped polygonal columns of basalt in perfect horizontal sections, forming a pavement. This dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland. Celebrated in the arts and in science, it has been a visitor attraction for at least 300 years and has come to be regarded as a symbol for Northern Ireland.
Read more

Skull Tower

Image
 The year was 1809 and the setting was the city of Nis, in the southeast of Serbia. At this point in history, the city was controlled by the Ottoman Empire but patriotic Serbians wanted their land back and there was a strong resistance movement. One fateful day they attacked but were no match for the Ottoman forces. When the leader of the Serbian insurgency realised the battle would be lost, he fired at his gunpowder depot, blowing it up and killing himself, his men and the advancing Turks.   It was an honourable sacrifice on the field of battle but what followed showed the morbid side of war at the time. The Turkish commander of Nis ordered that the heads of the killed Serbs be collected. Each head was then skinned and the skulls were built into a tower at the entrance of the city as a warning to anyone else who dared contemplate an attack. As a final insult, the scalps were stuffed and sent back to Constantinople to impress the Sultan.    952 skull...
Read more

Navajo Nation

Image
 The Navajo Nation extends into the states of Utah , Arizona and New Mexico , covering over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty. Diné Bikéyah, or Navajoland, is larger than 10 of the 50 states in America.   Visitors from around the world are intrigued and mystified when they hear the Navajo language – so, too, were the enemy during World War II. Unknown to many, the Navajo language was used to create a secret code to battle the Japanese. Navajo men were selected to create codes and serve on the front line to overcome and deceive those on the other side of the battlefield. Today, these men are recognized as the famous Navajo Code Talkers, who exemplify the unequaled bravery and patriotism of the Navajo people. Today, the Navajo Nation is striving to sustain a viable economy for an ever increasing population that now surpasses 250,000. In years past, Navajoland often appeared to be little more tha...
Read more