CROSS-CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS IN THE ARCHITECTURE OF ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY: HISTORICAL AND MODERN APPROACHES

In this article, we will explore various aspects of religious architecture and its cross-cultural significance. We will talk about Islamic and Christian architectural styles, aesthetic and symbolic features of these places, as well as their historical development. The temples of each religion reflect the historical and cultural heritage of the societies in which they were built. The article will also discuss how religious architecture has developed in modern times and how today's architects approach religious buildings. Humans have sought to find the source of their existence since the dawn of time, and the quest to find this beginning has given rise to the need to believe in and worship a creator. To show their loyalty to the Creator, people who worship began to build temples to perform their worship. These places of worship are among the first examples of architectural structures. In the process of construction, there is a traditional style in places of worship of all religions, whether human or divine. Cathedrals, one of Christianity's places of worship, can have different architectural designs and reflect the influence of different eras and styles. Inside the cathedrals, there are works of art such as mosaics, frescoes, stained glass windows and sculptures that often attract the attention of visitors. Places of worship in Islam are large domed mosques, minarets, spacious courtyards, brightly colored embroidery with geometric shapes and repeating patterns, and mihrabs that always face Mecca. In mosques, more importance is given to internal beauty and aesthetics than external appearance.