What is Seljuk architecture?
'''Seljuk architecture''' is the name given to [[architecture]] built during the time when the [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuks]] ruled most of the [[Middle East]] and [[Anatolia]].<ref name=Petersen255>Andrew Petersen, ''Dictionary of Islamic Architecture'' (London; New York: Routledge, 1996), p. 255</ref> This was between the [[11th century|11th]] and [[13th century|13th centuries]]. After the 11th century the [[Seljuks of Rum]] emerged from the [[Seljuk Empire|Great Seljuk Empire]] developing their own architecture. Their [[Capital (city)|capital]] was [[Konya]].<ref>John Freely, ''A History of Ottoman Architecture'' (Southampton; Boston: WIT Press, 2010), p. 2</ref> They were [[wikt:influence|influence]]d and [[wikt:inspire|inspire]]d by the [[Armenian architecture|Armenians]], [[Byzantine architecture|Byzantines]] and [[Sassanid Empire|Persians]]. ==Great Seljuq Empire architecture== The architecture can be found in a vast area stretching from the [[Hindu Kush]] to [[east]]ern Anatolia. Also from [[Central Asia]] to the [[Persian Gulf]]. The [[homeland]] of Seljuk architecture was [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Iran]]. This is where the first permanent Seljuk buildings were built. Unfortunately the [[Mongol Empire|Mongol]] [[invasion]]s destroyed most of these buildings.<ref name=Petersen255/> Only a few remain.<ref name=Petersen255/> In 1063 [[Isfahan]] was established as capital of the Great Seljuk Empire under [[Alp Arslan]]. The most [[wikt:significant|significant]] change was in the early [[12th century]]. It was the [[wikt:conversion|conversion]] of the [[hypostyle]] [[Floor plan|plan]] into a four-[[iwan]] plan mosque (see [[Shah Mosque]]).<ref name=Meri399>Josef W. Meri; Jere L. Bacharach, ''Medieval Islamic Civilization'', Volume 1 (New York; Oxford: Routledge, 2006), p. 399</ref> Another mosque-type introduced at this time was the [[kiosk]] mosque, consisting of a domed space with three open sides and wall containing a [[mihrab]] on the [[qibla]] side. The architecture of this period was also characterized by [[