La arquitectura de Tombuctú: influencias andaluzas y organización productiva

Abstract

The architecture of Timbuctoo: Andalusian influences and its productive organization.
The urban structure of the town of Timbuctoo, situated in the Republic of Mali, is of great interest, especially its civil architecture. This is based on a perfectly rationalized plan which is completely different from the Sudanese architecture of the area and from the typical Islamic domestic housing pattern. A careful study of its characteristics leads us to suggest that there may well be a relationship between this architecture and that of Andalusia in the 16th century, particularly if we take into account the great number of Andalusian moriscos who formed part of the group of "Conquistadores" who crossed the Sahara at the end of the century to ocuppy these territories for Marroco. The rigid guild structure of the time and the periodical improvements and embellishments which were carried out allow us today to conduct a close analysis of thest! buildings, in spite of their being constructed of perishable materials.