T H E 10 M O S T I M P O R TA N T M U S E U M S I N T H E C O U N T R Y
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART ATHENS
T H E 10 M O S T I M P O R TA N T M U S E U M S I N T H E C O U N T R Y
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naugurated in 2004 and housed in a neoclassic building near the ancient cemetery of Kerameikos. It includes 1,500 items brought from Egypt by Antonis Benakis in 1926 and is one of the most important collections of Islamic art internationally. The units are set chronologically, presenting a summary of Islamic art and Islamic civilization from the 7th to the 19th century, from the Indies, Persia and North Africa to Sicily and Spain. They include ceramic works, jewelry, wood carvings, textiles, tombstones, tiles, weapons and armor, miniatures, metal and glass works, the marble dĂŠcor of the reception room of a 17th century Cairo mansion, etc. Some of the better known works in the collection are two 8th century wood-carved door panels from Mesopotamia, the famous 16th century Bursa velvet saddle and a 14th century bronze astrolabe made by famous astronomer Ahmad ibn al-Saratz.
COOL HOTELS & VILLAS