Overview
The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, known in Arabic as Matḥaf al-Fann al-Islāmī, stands on Port Said Street in the Bab al-Khalq district, on the edge of historic Islamic Cairo. It is widely regarded as one of the most important collections of Islamic art in the world. Its objects come from Egypt and from lands across the Muslim world, including Iran, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Spain and North Africa. The collection runs from the early Islamic centuries through the Ottoman period and beyond.
The museum began in 1880, when Khedive Tawfiq ordered that valuable objects from Cairo's mosques and monuments be gathered and protected. They were first kept at the Mosque of al-Hakim. As the collection grew, a purpose-built neo-Mamluk building was raised at Bab al-Khalq and opened in 1903 as the Museum of Arab Art. It took its present name in 1952. The building itself echoes the styles of Cairo's medieval architecture.
In January 2014 a car bomb exploded outside the nearby Cairo Security Directorate, causing serious damage to the museum's facade, interiors and some of its objects. A major restoration and conservation program followed, and the museum reopened to the public in January 2017. Today it presents its treasures in modern displays, giving visitors a clear journey through the artistic achievements of Islamic civilizations.
What to see
- 01Enameled glass mosque lamps, a celebrated specialty of Mamluk Cairo
- 02Illuminated Qur'an manuscripts and fine examples of Arabic calligraphy
- 03Carved wooden panels, doors, minbars and mihrabs from Cairo's historic monuments
- 04Metalwork, ceramics, textiles, rock crystal and scientific instruments such as astrolabes
Visitor tips
- Check the current opening hours and ticket prices on official sources or at the entrance before you go, as they can change.
- Allow at least one to two hours, and combine your visit with nearby Islamic Cairo sites such as Al-Azhar, Al-Muizz Street and the Citadel.
- Ask staff about photography rules inside the galleries, and wear comfortable shoes for walking around the surrounding streets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo known for?
It is known for one of the world's richest collections of Islamic art, including Mamluk mosque lamps, Qur'an manuscripts, woodwork, metalwork, ceramics, textiles and scientific instruments from across the Islamic world.
When was the Museum of Islamic Art founded and reopened?
The museum was founded in 1880 under Khedive Tawfiq. Its present building opened in 1903, and it was renamed the Museum of Islamic Art in 1952. After damage in 2014, it reopened in January 2017.
Where is the Museum of Islamic Art located?
It is on Port Said Street in the Bab al-Khalq area of central Cairo, close to Islamic Cairo and within reach of Al-Azhar, Al-Muizz Street and the Citadel.
