The architecture and spatial-dynamics of the Pauline Complex, Rabat : within the political religious context

Abstract

The title of this dissertation ‘The architecture and spatial-dynamics of the Pauline Complex, Rabat – within the political religious context’ mainly summarises what all the different facets the history of the architecture of the Pauline Complex is all about. The three key words are ‘architecture’, ‘spatial-dynamics’ and the ‘political religious context’. The thematic revolves around this choice of keywords, architecture and spatial dynamics are directly related to each other, in a physical sense. Spatial dynamics was created out of architectural components. Yet spatial dynamics was also part of the political religious context, because it was patrons’ political exchanges and religious connections that augmented the size of the complex, they discussed shared space and lead to a convergant form of architecture, under two separate administrations. The purpose of this study was to view the Pauline Complex under a different academic aspect and that is the history of architecture. Prior to this study its appraisal has been mostly from a historic point of view. The objective of this dissertation was to analyse and merge archival documentation, regarding both construction of various components of the Pauline and patronage during the 17th and 18th century. The conclusions of this study will shed more light on the links between the architects and patrons, patrons and notaries. It will also give a better understanding of the way the fabrica worked. Importance has also been given to those who formed the fabrica, in order to allow this research to be a stepping stone for a wider understanding of construction methods and duties during the 17th and 18th centuries.