Discover the Rich History and Architecture of the Kaaba: Islam's Holiest Shrine in Mecca

Discover the Rich History and Architecture of the Kaaba: Islam's Holiest Shrine in Mecca

  

Mecca is the city where Muslims make sacred pilgrimages for Hajj, the city of buildings with extraordinary aesthetics, and the place of the artistic fruits of theism connected with creativity.

 

From the overwhelming height of its clock tower to the Masjid al-Haram, to the Kabba itself, the architecture of Mecca has been made to be by its Islamic influences. Built in 608 C.E., the Kaaba is one of the grandest examples of Islamic art, Islam's holiest shrine.

 

Purpose of the Kaaba in History

 

The Kaaba has been vital to the development of Islamic history since 629-630 C.E. During those same years, Muhammad returned to Mecca, which marked the Kabba as the focal point for Muslim worship.

 

Since then, even after multiple times experiencing damage and disrepair, the Kabba still retained its significance in Islamic culture. Its influence is venerated among Muslims, as Muslims must visit Mecca once in their lifetimes during the Hajj.

 

Architecture of The Kaaba

 

From a view, the Kaaba is a lustrous, stone cuboid structure that has a seemingly simple but aesthetically pleasing build.

 

There is more than meets the eye in the Kaaba, as there are golden-colored pieces of cloth with Arabic writings. Take a closer look, and you’ll see a golden, door-shaped piece of fabric (called the Kiswah) with white and black highlights.

 

This cloth is the covering for the door of the Kaaba, which makes way for the statues of pagan gods, paintings, pillars, limestone and marble floors, and numerous aesthetic pieces associated with the sacred parts of Islam.

 

These pagan gods, however, would be removed by Muhammad for the sake of maintaining the monotheism of Ibrahim in the shrine.

 

 

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