Riwaq (arcade)

A riwaq (or rivaq, Arabic: رواق riwāq or ruwāq) is an arcade or portico (if in front of entrances) open on at least one side. It is an architectural design element in Islamic architecture and Islamic garden design.

Riwaq at the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in Cairo

A riwaq often serves as the transition space between interior and outdoor spaces. As portico or arcade structure, it provides shade and adjustment to sunlight in hot climates, and cover from rain in any locale.

Arcade

As an arcade element the structure is often found surrounding and defining the courtyards (sahn) of mosques and madrasas, and used for covered circulation, meeting and rest, and ritual circumambulation. The arcade element is also found along principal walkways of larger bazaars.

Examples

Riwaq arcade examples include:

• Surrounding the Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram mosque courtyard in Mecca, and the Mosque of Uqba courtyard in Tunisia.
• Along the main avenues of the Bazaar of Kashan, in present-day Iran.

See also

• Index: Islamic architectural elements

References

• "Riwaq". Archnet.org Dictionary of Islamic Architecture. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012.