Introduction During the trip, it became evident that the architectural styles and general artistry reflected in the creation of churches and mosques, as seen in France, Italy, and Istanbul, are a direct reflection of how religious culture impacts the manner in which architecture and artistry are created. Before proceeding, it is important to note that studies such as those by Erzen (2011) present the notion that “ artistic and architectural styles evident in the Christian and Muslim faiths are inherently influenced by the regional cultures from which they originated from ” (p.125). For example, in the case of Barcelona, Spain we can saw examples of both mosques and churches which reflect both the Catholic heritage of the country as well as lingering influences from both Arab immigrants and remnants of Spain’s past when it was invaded in the past by Arabs. The architecture of the churches and mosques reflected the regional cultures from which they originated and were distinct from the architectural styles of Spanish buildings. Examining Mosques When examining the case of most mosques in Turkey, they generally have a large dome at the center with four seemingly ornamental towers being placed on either corner. While there are numerous iterations of such a design, namely in the form of multiple domes or tower structures, the same dome and tower motif continues to remain a prominent feature. However, such a motif is actually, as explained by Erzen “ a manifestation of age old Arabic architectural design which was then incorporated into the creation of places of worship (i.e. mosques)” (Erzen, 125-131). The large dome, multiple open spaces, and large windows are an aspect of Islamic architecture that was originally meant to create a means of ventilation for structures as well as to dissipate heat. The same can be said for the towers that are seen in many of today’s mosques which originally acted as ventilation shafts bringing in cold air into the structure (Erzen, 125-131). While the conveniences of modern-day technology in the form of indoor air conditioners and electric fans have made such architectural features obsolete, they still continue to be a prominent aspect of mosque design. Mahmood (2011) sheds some light on this apparent prominence for an obsolete design by explaining that “ the design of mosques, despite the progress of technology, has come to be associated as a reflection of the Muslim faith” (p. 111). Despite their original purpose being for proper ventilation and heat dissipation prior to the 19th century, the tower design and subsequent increasing evolution of the domed structures became a focal point of present-day design and are considered as symbols of the Muslim faith in regards to proper places of worship (Mahmood, 110-122). However, it should be noted that the prominence of the domed structures and extensive use of minarets (i.e. the towers) was actually popularized after the 19th century. Prior to this period of time, places of worship for the Islamic faith often incorporated a variety of designs and structural elements with one of the most prominent being the use of large open spaces (Mahmood, 110-122). One of the most interesting aspects though of the mosques in regards to artistry was the general lack of extensive