The Muslim West / The Co-existence of Three Cultures

Religious institutions as custodians of property

There are examples of religious institutions keeping holy objects from other religions, sometimes because of their historical value, occasionally because they could be reused and often simply because of their material value. This phenomenon tells us more about the varied culture and heritage of the Muslim West.

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Qarawiyyin MosqueHegira 3rd–4th centuries / AD 9th–10th centuriesIdrisidFez (Old Town), MoroccoUnder the Marinids, Christian bells were turned into lamps to illuminate the prayer room of the Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fez.
Zamora Cathedral chestHegira 6th century / AD 12th centuryAlmoravidNational Archaeological Museum
Madrid, Spain
This Islamic chest, now kept in Zamora Cathedral, was adapted for Christian religious use by the addition of paintings.
FontHegira 8th–9th centuries / AD 14th–15th centuriesCity Museum
Lisbon, Portugal
This font was taken from a demolished mosque and used in the construction of a Christian building.
Carpet with flowering tree motifHegira 8th century / AD 14th centuryNasridMuseum of Islamic Art at the Pergamon Museum
Berlin, Germany
This carpet was kept in a church in Tirol, Austria, until the late 19th century, possibly having arrived there from a Spanish synagogue.