


Architectural and Historical Merits of the Minaret
The form and size of the minaret of Qala' and various types of arches used on the frames of these windows including the trifoil, cinqfoil, semi-circular and polylobed arches later formed the character of the Romanesque and Gothic towers in the West. This can be seen in many examples such as St.Abbondio church in Italy (1063-1095) , Abbey aux Hommes at St. Ettiene (1066-1160), St Martin in Spain (12th century) , St.Edmund at Bury in England (1120) and many other ecclestical buildings . In all cases, the influence of Qala' Beni Hammad is unquestionable and one can easily establish that European trade links with North Africa must have been responsible for the transfer of this architectural element.


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