Architecture and Identity: From the Andalusian Mosque (Mértola, Portugal) to the Portuguese Church (Chottogram, Bangladesh)

Orientação: Jorge Figueira, Dr. José Mapril e Dr. Marina Tabassum

Programa de Doutoramento: Coimbra Studio - Doctoral program in Architecture

Financiamento: FCT

It was 1518 (Campos, 1919), when the Portuguese introduced a new typology in the urban landscape of Bengal as 'Church Architecture', reminiscent of which is the 17th century Portuguese Church (Palma, 2011) of Chottogram, still in use by the minority Catholic community of Bangladesh, today.

In the mainland Portugal after 711 (Mattoso, 1992), a new typology was implanted by the North African in al- Andalus era, as 'Mosque Architecture', reminiscent of which is the converted Mosque of Mertola, still in use by the majority Catholic community, in Portugal, today.

How this two states of Urban Heritage(s) took shape over time and how did they impacted and are still impacting the transformation of Urban culture and Landscape, and the process of social integration for the minority Muslim community of Portugal and the minority Catholic community of Bangladesh, are the major objectives of this Research Project, decoding the historic role of Portugal.