Bridging worlds: Athens museum showcases magnificence of islamic art

In Athens' historic old city, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art serves as a symbol of the cultural connection between Greece and the diverse artistic heritage of the Muslim world. Since 2004, the museum has proudly displayed an impressive collection of around 12,000 Islamic art artifacts. Among these exhibits are ceramics, jewelry, intricately crafted wood engravings, and processed glass. These artworks originate from regions across the globe where Muslim communities have historically thrived, spanning from Spain and Sicily to Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and India. The majority of the impressive collection housed at the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art was amassed by Antonis Benakis, a prominent Greek art collector, who later established the Benaki Museum, one of the oldest and largest museums in the Greek capital. Visitors to the museum are captivated by the vibrant blue and turquoise hues that adorn the tiles and ceramics originating from Anatolia's Iznik and Kutahya regions. One particularly distinguished exhibit showcases a collection of 17th-century tiles from Iznik, a region in present-day Turkey renowned for its ceramics. These intricately designed tiles depict the Miraj, which narrates the single-night journey of Islam's Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem, followed by his ascension to heaven. In a central part of the museum, visitors can explore the office of the 'kethuda,' a high-ranking lieutenant to the governor during the Ottoman Empire's reign. This display offers a glimpse into the historical administrative structure of the empire.