Iranistan, Moorish Revival mansion in Bridgeport, United States
Iranistan was a Moorish Revival mansion in Bridgeport featuring large domes, horseshoe arches, and elaborately decorated exterior surfaces. The building blended these Eastern design principles with American construction methods and materials.
Architect Leopold Eidlitz designed this residence for P.T. Barnum in 1848, creating one of the first examples of Moorish Revival architecture in the United States. The building stood for only a decade before a fire destroyed it completely in 1858.
The house displayed Islamic architectural features during a period when American architects were exploring Eastern design influences for homes. This cultural blend was unusual for 19th-century New England and attracted visitors from across the region.
Since the building no longer exists, visitors today can study the preserved architectural drawings and historical records instead. These materials are available in local archives and museums throughout Bridgeport.
The house featured remarkably fine tile patterns and stucco screens as decorative elements. These details showed skilled blending of Middle Eastern styles with American craftsmanship of the era.
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