The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) at New York University has unveiled a groundbreaking exhibition, Madinat al-Zahra: The Radiant Capital of Islamic Spain, showcasing the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Umayyad caliphate in tenth-century al-Andalus. Running until March 2, 2025, this is the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the magnificent palace-city of Madinat al-Zahra, built near present-day Córdoba, Spain.
Visitors are invited to explore over 155 artefacts, including intricately carved ivory boxes, brightly glazed ceramics, and bronze fountain spouts shaped like animals. These treasures highlight the multicultural influences that defined the Umayyad dynasty, blending inspirations from Baghdad, North Africa, and classical Rome.
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“The story of the Islamic kingdoms of Europe is one that has remained little told, and yet the gleaming capital of the Umayyad caliphs in Spain was a famed center of the sciences, arts, and literature in the medieval world,” says Alexander Jones, Director of ISAW. “Madinat al-Zahra: The Radiant Capital of Islamic Spain and its catalogue present this unique moment in Spanish history.”
Photo by Andrea Brizzi
Madinat al-Zahra, commissioned by Caliph ‘Abd al-Rahman III and expanded by his son Al-Hakam II, became a thriving hub for scholars, poets, and artisans from around the world. The exhibition not only delves into the city’s architectural marvels—showcased through capitals, bases, and inscriptions—but also its luxury arts, from gold jewellery to silver perfume bottles crafted as diplomatic gifts. The Umayyad contribution to science is also featured, with displays of early Islamic sundials that highlight advances in astronomy during this period.
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“This exhibition will allow us to show American audiences the wonders of the caliphal city of Madinat al-Zahra, an outstanding example on the international stage of Andalusian art and archaeology. Due to its extraordinary artistic and cultural legacy, this will be one of the best introductions for the American people to experience the rich cultural history managed by the Regional Government of Andalucía,” shared Patricia del Pozo Fernández, the Andalusian Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.
Jewelry from the Charilla Treasure. Gold, silver, and semi-precious stones. 10th century CE. Aldea de Charilla, Alcalá la Real. Courtesy of Museo de Jaén.
Curated by Antonio Vallejo Triano and Eduardo Manzano Moreno, the exhibition includes loans from prominent institutions such as the Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Brooklyn Museum. Its catalogue provides further insights, with thematic essays exploring Madinat al-Zahra as a cultural epicentre. Complementing the exhibition, ISAW is hosting public lectures, curator talks, gallery drawing workshops, and even a concert by the New York Andalus Ensemble. Visitors can also access an interactive gallery guide via the Bloomberg Connects app for deeper engagement.
Admission is free, with guided tours available every Friday and Saturday. For more details, visit the ISAW website or the exhibition’s dedicated site at madinatalzahra.com.
Composite capital with inscription. Marble. Mid-10th century CE. Madinat al-Zahra, Salón Rico. Courtesy of Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra.
The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) at New York University has unveiled a groundbreaking exhibition, Madinat al-Zahra: The Radiant Capital of Islamic Spain, showcasing the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Umayyad caliphate in tenth-century al-Andalus. Running until March 2, 2025, this is the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the magnificent palace-city of Madinat al-Zahra, built near present-day Córdoba, Spain.
Visitors are invited to explore over 155 artefacts, including intricately carved ivory boxes, brightly glazed ceramics, and bronze fountain spouts shaped like animals. These treasures highlight the multicultural influences that defined the Umayyad dynasty, blending inspirations from Baghdad, North Africa, and classical Rome.
“The story of the Islamic kingdoms of Europe is one that has remained little told, and yet the gleaming capital of the Umayyad caliphs in Spain was a famed center of the sciences, arts, and literature in the medieval world,” says Alexander Jones, Director of ISAW. “Madinat al-Zahra: The Radiant Capital of Islamic Spain and its catalogue present this unique moment in Spanish history.”
Madinat al-Zahra, commissioned by Caliph ‘Abd al-Rahman III and expanded by his son Al-Hakam II, became a thriving hub for scholars, poets, and artisans from around the world. The exhibition not only delves into the city’s architectural marvels—showcased through capitals, bases, and inscriptions—but also its luxury arts, from gold jewellery to silver perfume bottles crafted as diplomatic gifts. The Umayyad contribution to science is also featured, with displays of early Islamic sundials that highlight advances in astronomy during this period.
“This exhibition will allow us to show American audiences the wonders of the caliphal city of Madinat al-Zahra, an outstanding example on the international stage of Andalusian art and archaeology. Due to its extraordinary artistic and cultural legacy, this will be one of the best introductions for the American people to experience the rich cultural history managed by the Regional Government of Andalucía,” shared Patricia del Pozo Fernández, the Andalusian Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.
Curated by Antonio Vallejo Triano and Eduardo Manzano Moreno, the exhibition includes loans from prominent institutions such as the Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Brooklyn Museum. Its catalogue provides further insights, with thematic essays exploring Madinat al-Zahra as a cultural epicentre. Complementing the exhibition, ISAW is hosting public lectures, curator talks, gallery drawing workshops, and even a concert by the New York Andalus Ensemble. Visitors can also access an interactive gallery guide via the Bloomberg Connects app for deeper engagement.
Admission is free, with guided tours available every Friday and Saturday. For more details, visit the ISAW website or the exhibition’s dedicated site at madinatalzahra.com.
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