Influences of islamic architecture on gothic architecture

In starting of the 7th century and with beginning decline of the Byzantine Empire, Islamic civilization has appeared as a new power. Benefited from the science of preceding civilizations, honed and developed it and put it within its own private template and it became the fountain that all humanity benefited from. At this time, Europe was overwhelmed in the darkness of ignorance and corruptions. As a result, it was natural it seeks to find who takes her hand to advance heading for a fertile source of science and knowledge (Islamic civilization), to capitalize on various sciences like medicine, chemistry, architecture, decoration and mathematics. Here, will highlight on the possible influences of Islamic art and architecture on the Gothic architecture in Europe. The study dealt with different models of Islamic and Gothic architecture as it contained features, characteristics and architectural and decorative elements especially those that are believed to be in connection with this influence. The aim of the study is to frame the magnitude of the influence of Islamic architecture in Gothic style of European architecture and it seeks to make the reader and the receiver know the estimated size of this effect through the compare and analysis method according to the temporal and spatial appearance for each element, and the impact of these items on the interior space of the Gothic style. The study concluded that there are large number of Islamic architecture elements (architectural and decorative) that have affected and sometimes were directly transferred to the Gothic style through multiple ways, including trade, Islamic expansion and the Crusades. And these borrowed elements have a big role on architecture, interior and ornamentation of Gothic church.