The World of the Fatimids

“The World of the Fatimids” sheds light on one of history’s most intriguing and vibrant civilizations, which at its height in the 10th and 11th centuries influenced thought and life throughout the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, and the Near East – yet is little known in North America.

Through monumental architectural pieces as well as intimately scaled artwork, the exhibit conjures up a land of many faiths and explores life, both royal and everyday, in the capital the Fatimids founded, al-Qahirah, or Cairo. The Fatimids Dynasty built one of the world’s oldest universities, defined luxury fashion for a millennium, compiled one of the greatest libraries, and fostered the development of arts and sciences.

Visitors will see a collection of rare objects such as luminous ceramics, intricate carvings shaped from delicate rock crystal, luxury objects and artifacts on loan from collections around the world.