Overview:

: The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo is located in the ancient city of Cairo, Egypt. The museum features one of the world's most comprehensive and important collections of Islamic art. These works range from the seventh to the nineteenth century and encompass nearly every major historical, cultural, and artistic movement in Islamic history. The museum also houses a library and research center. The displays are organized into four distinct categories: Islamic Architecture, Decorative Art, Calligraphy, and Coins and Medals. Among the many highlights of the museum are the stunning architecture of some of Egypt's most impressiveIslamic monuments, the exquisite Persian manuscripts, and the remarkable collection of tiles and calligraphy. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the works of renowned Islamic painters, sculptors, and calligraphers. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo is a spectacular museum located in one of the oldest and most renowned Islamic capitals in the world. The museum is home to more than 100,000 artifacts, including religious and decorative woodwork, metalwork, textiles, ceramics, and glass. Some of the major collections include the world-renowned Fatimid woodwork, one of the world's largest collections of Mamluk pottery, and outstanding collections of rare and unique items. The museum is also widely recognized for its outstanding collection of manuscripts, miniatures, and calligraphy. In addition, the museum houses an array of Islamic arts, including rugs, metalwork, weaponry, manuscripts and pottery. Visitors to the museum have the chance to explore many different aspects of Islamic art and culture, in addition to the permanent collection. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo (MIA) was established on November 20, 1926, under the rule of Fuad I. Its founding curator was Prof. Casim Karim Bey, who had started a small Islamic collection in 1908 which eventually became part of the new museum. When the museum first opened it was in a single building on one floor in El-Hakim Mosque, near the Khan El-Khalili. This building still exists today and houses the department of Islamic coins and jewels. The main part of MIA is in a large palace on Bab EL-Khalq, built for Khedive Ismail in the late 19th century. This building houses the administrative offices, and 14 sections each devoted to a specific part of Muslim culture, and each with its own curator. The collection of MIA is one of the most complete of its kind in the world, including artifacts from all over the Islamic world dating from the 7th through the 19th centuries. Among its most famous items is the Cairo Zeinab Koran, which is thought to be from the 9th century. The MIA has expanded over the years to include a number of satellite locations in Cairo. In 1962, it opened the Remah branch with a collection of manuscripts from the Middle East, and in 1974 the newest addition was established in Heliopolis on the east side of the city. That branch specializes in ceramics and glass and includes a special workshop for the restoration of valuable pieces. The MIA also has a number of publications, including periodicals, books, catalogues, and DVDs. It also puts on various exhibitions and educational programs. In addition, it sponsors international conferences and seminars, and often collaborates with other institutions. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo was founded in 1881 by the Khedive Ismail and first opened to the public in 1903. 2. The Museum's collection is unique in the world and contains rare artefacts spanning twelve hundred years. 3. The majority of its collection consists of manuscripts and art works from Egypt but also contains collections from as far afield as Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Central Asia, India, and Spain. 4. The oldest item in the museum is a Qur'anic manuscript from 8th century Iraq. 5. It contains over fifteen thousand artefacts, representing all eras and schools in Islamic art. 6. In addition to its collection of Islamic art, the museum also houses a library with more than sixty thousand manuscripts and books, most of them the gifts of illustrious Egyptian and foreign scholars. 7. The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo was the setting for the hit movie, The Mummy (1999) 8. One of the museum's famous displays entitled, “One Thousand and One Night Stories”. It includes characters from the famous Arabian Nights, such as Aladdin, Sinbad and Ali Baba. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era