mihrabs

A mihrab is a niche or shallow recess in the qibla wall of a mosque that marks the direction of prayer toward Mecca. It serves as the focal point for the imam during congregational prayers and is often accompanied by a raised pulpit called a minbar.

Since the early Islamic centuries, the mihrab has been a standard element of mosque architecture. While the essential function remains the same, the form and decoration vary by region and period. In the eastern Islamic world, mihrabs may be arched and richly decorated in tilework or stucco; in North Africa and Iberia they frequently feature horseshoe arches and intricate plasterwork; in Iran and Central Asia muqarnas and tile mosaics are common.

Decorative programs emphasize Qur’anic inscriptions, vegetal and geometric motifs, and lavish calligraphy. The materials range from brick and plaster to marble, ceramic tile, and mosaic. The choice of arch shape and the level of ornament often signal local architectural languages and patronage.

The mihrab’s physical prominence can also reflect religious authority or dynastic patronage. Some mosques have a simple shallow niche, while others display a highly elaborate arch or niche framed by sculpted or coated surfaces. In modern mosques, the mihrab may be indicated by a painted or glass-inlaid feature rather than a structural niche.

Notable examples include the mihrab of the Great Mosque of Cordoba, celebrated for its gold-and-glass mosaic, and other richly decorated mihrabs across the Islamic world that illustrate regional styles.