When Louvre Abu Dhabi announced “Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire”, it signaled far more than another major exhibition—it opened a gateway to one of the most powerful and artistically rich eras in Islamic history. Running from 17 September 2025 to 25 January 2026, the exhibition brings together over 250 masterpieces, revealing the extraordinary legacy of a dynasty that shaped the Middle East and echoed across continents.

Developed in close collaboration with the Musée du Louvre in Paris, the exhibition stands as one of the most ambitious showcases of Mamluk culture ever assembled.

A Dynasty Born from Unlikely Origins

The Mamluks began not as nobility, but as enslaved soldiers trained in the highest military traditions. Rising through merit, discipline, and extraordinary leadership, they established one of the most formidable empires of the medieval world.

From 1250 to 1517, the Mamluks ruled Egypt, Syria, the Hejaz, and parts of North Africa, becoming guardians of Islamic civilization. They defeated the Mongols at Ayn Jalut, halted Crusader expansion, protected trade routes, and transformed Cairo into one of the world’s greatest centers of learning and culture.

Artisans, Diplomats, Scholars — and Kings

While the Mamluks are often remembered as invincible warriors, Louvre Abu Dhabi highlights the full spectrum of their achievements:

Master Craftsmen

Their workshops produced:

• intricately engraved metalwork

• richly dyed textiles

• geometric arabesque patterns

• monumental calligraphy

• carved wood and stucco

• luxurious ceramics

These objects were not merely decorative—they embodied political authority, religious devotion, and artistic innovation.

Diplomats and Gatekeepers of Trade

The Mamluks controlled the economic arteries linking Europe, Africa, and Asia. Through diplomacy and commerce, they shaped global networks that carried spices, textiles, manuscripts, and scientific knowledge across continents.

Patrons of Intellectual Flourishing

Their reign coincided with a fertile period of scholarship in law, astronomy, philosophy, and literature. Cairo became a magnet for thinkers from across the Islamic world.

Inside the Exhibition: A Journey Through Time

Visitors encounter an immersive narrative divided into thematic chapters, each revealing a different dimension of the Mamluk world.

Among the 250+ objects, highlights include:

• manuscripts illuminated with gold leaf

• ceremonial swords and armor

• Qur’ans bearing monumental Mamluk calligraphy

• marble and wooden architectural fragments

• metal basins engraved with sultanic emblems

• textiles worn in the royal court

• trade objects from across the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean

These works form a visual map of an empire whose influence was both artistic and diplomatic.

A Bridge Between Civilizations

By hosting this exhibition, Louvre Abu Dhabi strengthens its mission: to illuminate the interconnected histories of world cultures.
The Mamluks—shaped by diverse origins, united by shared purpose—represent that vision perfectly.

Their story is a reminder that empires rise not only through power, but through creativity, knowledge, and the ability to connect worlds.

A Timely Exhibition for the Modern Middle East

As the region invests in cultural renewal, Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire offers historical grounding and artistic inspiration.
It speaks to a new generation exploring heritage, identity, and artistic excellence.

This exhibition is more than a retrospective—it is a celebration of resilience, mastery, and the creative brilliance of a civilization that shaped the Middle East and left a legacy still felt today.