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A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary architects as a typical and traditional building feature. [ 1 ]
The courtyard (sahn) of a mosque normally precedes and gives access to the interior prayer hall that stands on the qibla side (the side corresponding to the direction of prayer). [ 7 ] [ 1 ] Most mosque courtyards contained a public fountain where Muslims performed wudu , a ritual ablution (purification) required before prayer . [ 8 ]
The open courtyards are the source of light and ventilation to the internal prayer spaces. [6] The roof is partitioned into 25 squares of equal size with nine small domes in each square (totalling to 81 domes) and alternated by 12 flat roofs to cover the roof. The four courtyards provide light and ventilation. [5]
In fall during an event known as cortes apertas (open courtyards) sees stables and ancient turf taverns open to the public, offering wine, ham, cheese and other delicacies. The area is famous for ...
Families lived in square structures built to enclose open courtyards, and the palaces of obas often had an open market area that made up the centre of a town. [9] A hierarchy of sorts was maintained throughout many Yoruba towns, wherein the oba or other ruler boasted the largest compound and the most courtyards.
"Sky well" (天井): Although large open courtyards are less commonly found in southern Chinese architecture, the concept of an "open space" surrounded by buildings can be seen in the southern building structure known as the "sky well". This structure is essentially a relatively enclosed courtyard formed from the intersections of closely spaced ...
The ribat consists of an open courtyard surrounded by a number of rooms and cells. A mosque has been attached to it. It is reached through an arched entrance leading to its doors, which have a cross-vaulted ceiling. The porch, in turn, leads to the open courtyard, rooms, cells, and the mosque.
The boundaries of this open area were typically lined with large standing stones. A narrow, stone lined entry extended from the main area into one or more roofed burial chambers. Courtyards were generally oval or circular in shape, with U-shaped and semi-circular courtyards being the most common layout.