Dr. Patricia Blessing

Biography

Patricia Blessing specializes in the art and architecture of the Islamic world, focusing specifically on the eastern Mediterranean between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries. Her current book project, "Arches Like Rainbows: Ottoman Water Architectures," examines buildings from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries within the context of the Ottoman Empire, emphasizing the relationship between nature and climate in architectural design. In addition to her research, Blessing co-directs a project aimed at digitally reconstructing the Qilij Arslan II Kiosk in Konya, Turkey, which was largely destroyed in the late twelfth century. Patricia has published numerous works, including two major books, "Rebuilding Anatolia Mongol Conquest: Islamic Architecture Lands Rūm, 1240–1330" and "Architecture Material Politics Fifteenth-century Ottoman Empire." She has also co-authored studies on medieval textiles that have been published by Cambridge University Press. Her contributions have appeared in various academic journals and edited volumes, showcasing her expertise in funerary architecture and Islamic and Christian monuments in Spain. As a fellow of several prestigious institutions, including the British Academy and the Society of Architectural Historians, she is also active in academic administration as the Managing Editor of the "International Journal Islamic Architecture." Her teaching spans topics such as medieval Islamic architecture and heritage preservation.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards