Mixtilinear arch

Mixtilinear arch at the Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas, Mexico

The mixtilinear arch (also mixed-line arch) is a decorative (non-structural) arch with intrados consisting of rounded and straight segments connected at angles, its outline sometimes resembles a shaped gable.

The idea of this silhouette came into Moorish architecture of Taifa period probably from the interlaced arches where similar arches were traditionally used in an arcade, although the types might vary from one building to another. The architects of the Great Mosque of Cordoba, at the end of 10th century AD, broke the tradition by mixing horseshoe arches and multifoil arches at the Villaviciosa Chapel. The creators of the Taifa mixtilinear arch took a hint from this arrangement (and the similar ones at Mosque of Cristo de la Luz), producing early designs at Aljaferia.

The mixed-line arch was popular during the Almoravid period, when an "ultra-baroque" modification, a lambrequin arch, was also created.

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  Interlaced arches at Villaviciosa Chapel
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  Intersecting mixtilinear arches at Aljaferia

Sources

• Montéquin, François-Auguste De (1991). "Arches in the Architecture of Muslim Spain : Typology and Evolution". Islamic Studies. 30 (1/2). Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Islamabad: 67–82. ISSN 0578-8072. JSTOR 20840025. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
• Woodman, Francis; Bloom, Jonathan M. (2003). "Arch". Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t003657. ISBN 978-1-884446-05-4.