An approach to Islamic Egypt across two and a half centuries of political and economic stability under the Mameluk sultans.
[Mameluk art. Splendor and magic of the sultans. Egypt] This volume on Mameluk art in Egypt continues a fascinating voyage of discovery of Islamic art, a field not yet sufficiently familiar, in spite of its widespread presence in territories very close to the European world.
The book narrates two and a half centuries of political and economic stability in Egypt, achieved by the sultans thanks to defense of the territory against the threats of the Mongols and the crusades. The flourishing intellectual, scientific and artistic climate is seen in architecture and the decorative arts, bearing witness to the vitality of trade, to cultural stability and military and religious might. The splendid cities are fine examples, full of monuments based on an essential stylistic purity: Cairo, Rosetta, Alexandria, Foua.
The visit to Islamic Egypt is subdivided in eight itineraries. As in the other books in the series Islamic Art in the Mediterranean, an initiative of the organization Museo Senza Frontiere, the book is both a useful guide for theme travelers – including practical information for tourism like addresses, hours, routes – and a scientific reference work. Copiously illustrated, it has been prepared by specialists and scholars on Egypt, and is completed by a glossary, a selected bibliography and a chronology of the dynasties of the Mameluk sultans and historical figures.