While I had a studio in the Buzovnaneft building, I noticed that there were 7 windows in the shape of four-centered arches that opened in 7 different directions of the city. As time went on, I realized that this architectural form was quite common in urban architecture. Over the course of 3 years, I photographed these elements and also thought about their origin and how they became such an important part of urban architecture over time.

In Islamic architecture, the four-centered arch has been used since the time of the Abbasids, but it was most widely used in Persian culture and the architecture of the heirs of Timur and the Great Mughals. In iwans, in particular, the four-centered arch is used almost exclusively. The portals of the octagonal mausoleum of Kubbat al-Sulaibiya and the palace of Qasr al-Ashik (both located in Samarra, one of the capitals of the Abbasids), built in the 9th century, are considered the first cases of using such an arch.

The Persian arch, also known as the moderate four-centered arch, is a type of lowered lancet arch that is obtained by building two segments of an arch of small radius from the heels and continuing them with arcs of a larger radius converging to the castle. Persian arches can be seen in many examples of Persian architecture, including bridges, mosques, and palaces. The Persian arch has a less depressive form than the Tudor arch in English architecture and is often decorated with intricate tile work and calligraphy. Another type of arch that has been used in architecture is the ogee arch. This type of arch is characterized by an S-curve consisting of two arcs that curve in opposite directions and meet at the same point. The ogee arch was especially popular in late medieval Gothic architecture and can be seen in many examples of Gothic churches and cathedrals throughout Europe. The arch was also used in Islamic architecture, especially Mughal architecture in India where it was used to create elaborate decorative elements such as window screens and jaali work.

In Azerbaijani architecture, the four-centered arch is often used in the design of domes and vaults. It is a popular feature in the architecture of the Shirvan-Absheron school, which was prominent in the 15th and 16th centuries in Azerbaijan. This style of architecture is characterized by its use of brick, intricate geometric designs, and the use of the four-centered arch.

One example of Azerbaijani architecture that features the four-centered arch is the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku. The palace complex was built in the 15th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The complex includes several buildings with four-centered arches, including the Divanhane (State Council Room) and the Tomb of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. The use of the four-centered arch in these buildings gives them a distinct look and contributes to the unique character of Azerbaijani architecture.

In summary, the four-centered arch is an architectural wonder that has been used for centuries to create spaces that are both rational and decorative. Its low, wide structure with a pointed apex, and the use of two arches with different radii, make it a unique design element that has been used in various architectural styles across the world. From Islamic architecture to English Perpendicular Gothic, the four-centered arch has left an indelible mark on the world of architecture.