Domes on Libyan religious and civil buildings during the Ottoman era (985-1329 AH / 1551-1911 AD)

Abstract

This research aims to shed light on one of the patterns of roofing in the Libyan architecture during the Ottoman's period, namely the dome. The research dealt with several important points such as: The beginning of the use of domes on the Libyan buildings, and whether the dome was known and used in the roofing of Libyan buildings before Ottoman period, or was it an Ottoman influence ?This research discussed some of the views that were mentioned in the phenomenon of the use of multiple domes in the roofing of religious buildings in Libya. The research also addressed the reasons that led to the lack of using domes on civil buildings, illustrating those types of roofing that came in proportion to the construction function and the circumstances surrounding the originator and their impact on the shape and type of the roof. This study attempted to prove that the lack of use of the Libyan architecture for a particular type of roofing was not due to lack of experience in its construction, but that the diversity of roofing is based on awareness and understanding to create what suits the conditions of place and time of construction.