Islamic cemetery
- Address
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Schotterried 16844 AltachAustria
- Phone number
- Email address
- Homepage
Description & Infos
Burial site for members of Islamic religious communities.
The municipality of Altach is responsible for running the site, which offers space for around 700 graves. Constructed in accordance with Islamic religious requirements, the cemetery comprises a graveyard, a ritual washroom, a covered area for bidding farewell to the deceased and a prayer room. In keeping with traditional ritual, the deceased are buried lying on their side with their face turned towards Mecca. The simplicity of this contemporary architectural design, which characterises both the facility and the graves themselves, reflects the principles of Islam and its rejection of mortuary cults
The project was particularly notable for its collaborative development process, incorporating all Islamic communities, the State of Vorarlberg and the municipality of Altach. This helped ensure broad acceptance of what was only the second Islamic cemetery in all of Austria. The architectural solution and designers were chosen as part of a 2007 competition, were subsequently integrated into the wide-ranging development process and have since received international recognition.
Bosnian artist Azra Akzamija designed the prayer room and an artistic curtain using wooden shingles inscribed with “Allah” and “Mohammed”, thereby honouring Islamic building tradition. A large wooden lattice made from solid oak components is also clearly visible from the entrance.
Architecture: Bernardo Bader, 2007 - 2012