Gallery
Description
Property Name: Islamic Cultural Center of Rome
Inventory No: 39-6-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2009-07-30
Country (State party): Italy
Province: Rome
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 41° 56′ 5.3″ N
12° 29′ 42.22″ E
Historic Period: 20th century, 2nd half
Year of Construction: 1985
Style: Contemporary
Original Use: Mosque, Cultural center
Current Use: Mosque, Cultural
Architect: Paolo Portoghesi, Sami Mousavi
Significance
This huge multi-cultural complex is composed of two sections: First part is the rectangular prayer hall and the second one in shape of an “H” includes remaining functions. The mosque is designed as a typical hypostyle hall with a main dome, side aisles and exterior courtyard. The whole structure gives references to many elements of history and faith: the columns of the prayer hall resembling the trees of the first mosque, the capitals extend up to a system of interwoven arches ending in concentric circles symbolizing eternity.
Selection Criteria
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
Its planning took more than ten years: the Roman City Council donated the land in 1974, but the first stone was laid only in 1984, in the presence of then President of the Italian Republic Sandro Pertini, with its inauguration on 21 June 1995.
The largest mosque in the western world in terms of land area.
References
Steele, James. 1991. The New Mosque and Islamic Centre in Rome. In MIMAR 41: Architecture in Development. London: Concept Media Ltd.