Even with massive concerts being announced on the regular, one cannot deny the arts & culture stronghold of the UAE capital. As one of the first global museums to grace the Saadiyat Cultural District, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is now adding to the landscape with another stunning exhibition titled Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire.
Organised by Louvre Abu Dhabi in partnership with Musée du Louvre and France Muséums, this is the first-ever exhibition on the Mamluk Sultanate to be showcased in the GCC region. The exhibit is now open to the public until 25 January 2026.
As the name suggests, the exhibition delves into the rich heritage of the Mamluk Sultanate, a powerful dynasty that ruled a vast expanse of territory encompassing the most significant Islamic holy sites for over two and a half centuries (1250–1517).
What can you expect at Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire at Louvre Abu Dhabi?
Showcasing the rich productions of the remarkable Mamluk society, the exhibition brings together over 270 exceptional artworks from 34 prestigious museums and cultural institutions in 13 countries.
This includes everything from objects of art and glasswork to metalwork, ceramics, textiles, coinage, manuscripts and other items.
Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire is curated by Dr Souraya Noujaim, Director of the Department of Islamic Art at Musée du Louvre (General Curator) and Dr Carine Juvin, Curator for the Medieval Near East Collection, Department of Islamic Art, at Musée du Louvre (Scientific Curator), with the support of Fakhera Alkindi, Senior Curatorial Assistant at Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The exhibition unfolds across seven thematic sections exploring the structure and influence of the Mamluk dynasty.
Highlights of the works on loan from Musée du Louvre include
- Key to the Kaaba, bearing the name of Sultan Faraj (r. 1399 – 1412)
- A Helmet bearing the name of Sultan Barsbay (r. 1422 – 1438)
- A Venetian School painting titled “Venetian Diplomatic Mission Received by the Governor of Damascus” (1511)
- The Basin, known as the Baptistery of Saint Louis (c. 1330 – 1340), has, over the centuries, become a symbolic object of French royalty and history
Six artworks from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection are showcased, including a Juz’ Amma, the thirtieth section of the Holy Quran (second half of the 13th century), a rare Carpet decorated with three medallions produced in Egypt (second half of the 15th century), and a pharmaceutical or perfumes Albarello with coat of arms decoration (15th century).
Other notable loans include a Certificate of pilgrimage (Hajj) delivered to Maymuna, daughter of Muhammad al-Zardili (1433) from the British Library; an Incense burner bearing the name of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun (c. 1330 – 1341) from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha; and a Mosque Lamp bearing the name of Emir Qawsun (c. 1330-1335) from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Interactive experiences
Of course, it’s not just artworks that showcase the Mamluks’ rich storied past. The Louvre Abu Dhabi goes beyond to create an immersive experience throughout the space. This means playing games, recorded podcasts, a special children’s wall, etc.
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “We are proud to present Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire, which celebrates the cultural and artistic achievements of one of the Islamic world’s most influential dynasties. This exhibition delves into the interactions of the Mamluk Sultanate with Asia, Africa and Europe, revealing how interconnected the world was at that time, and how remarkably aligned in spirit it was with the cosmopolitan nature of contemporary Abu Dhabi. We are grateful for our partners, lenders and sponsors, whose collaboration helped us bring history to life and deepen cultural connections across borders.”
Details:
- What: Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire at Louvre Abu Dhabi
- When: Until 25 January 2026
- Tickets: AED 65. Visit Louvre