Europe’s Hidden Culture
Whether you are visiting purely for fun, or squeezing in some sightseeing whilst on a business trip, exploring Europe’s great cities is always a treat. Many Muslims may not realise, however, that there are Islamic treasures at the heart of most of Europe’s great cities.
London’s Islamic Treasures
London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and prides itself on its diversity. It has a Muslim mayor in Sadiq Khan and according to the latest census figures around 15% of its population is Muslim so it’s very easy to find all types of halal cuisine here. London was the centre of the British Empire, which by the 1920s covered more than half of the world’s Muslim population. It is no surprise, therefore, that many of the world’s Islamic treasures have ended up in London.
Both the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum have galleries dedicated to the history of the Islamic world – the Albukhary Foundation Gallery and the Jameel Gallery of Islamic art, respectively. They both showcase wonderful collections of art and artefacts, dating right back to the 7th century. The Victoria and Albert Museum, V&A - as it is known locally - has also established the Jameel Prize for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition. Check their website for the latest news on related exhibitions.
If you decide to visit the seat of British democracy, the Houses of Parliament, you may pass the 16th century Turkish cannon, which was captured in Egypt in 1801 by the British Army. You will also learn all about Lord Stanley (Abdul Rahman), the first Muslim member to be appointed to the House of Lords in 1869.
If you only visit one mosque in London, you should make it the Regent’s Park Mosque, or London Central Mosque, which is its official title. It has become one of London’s most famous landmarks with its unmistakable golden dome.
The Islamic Cultural Centre, which forms part of the complex, first opened in 1944. The land on which to build it was donated by King George VI, as a gift to Britain’s Muslim Community – it was a reciprocal arrangement with Egypt’s King Farouk, who gave land in Cairo on which to build an Anglican Cathedral.
Read more about London in our dedicated blog article: London - Capital of the world.
Muslim Art in Paris
Paris is known as the city of art and culture, and nowhere embodies this more than its most renowned art gallery, the Louvre. Former President Mitterrand, embarked upon an ambitious architectural plan to expand the museum, giving the world the monumental glass pyramid, which has still not been accepted by many of its critics, over two decades on.
Fortunately, the latest addition to the Louvre, which opened in 2012, has been much better received. It is the setting for the Louvre’s Department of Islamic Art – the Cour Visconti, which has been covered by a spectacular undulating glass roof, not quite touching the sides of the historic courtyard, and thereby protecting the integrity of the original building. Depending on your perspective it can call to mind sand dunes, or waves, or flowing material – go and see it for yourself and make up your own mind!
What is just as impressive is the collection of Islamic Art which is housed here. You will find over 3000 objects displayed, which represent three continents and over 1300 years of history.
Paris is also home to a number of cultural centres which host exhibitions and events. Check out the Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe) and the Algerian Cultural Centre (Centre Culturel Algérien) to see what’s going on during your visit.
Read more about Paris in our dedicated blog article: Paris: A city full of untold stories.
The Islamic Heritage of Spain’s Cities – Granada, Cordoba, Barcelona and Madrid
The region of Andalusia was at the centre of the Umayyad Caliphate, which ruled over the area for over 700 years. Two of its most attractive cities are home to significant monuments to this period of Moorish rule. For any Muslim visitor to Granada, the world-famous Alhambra is sure to be a highlight. It is the imposing fortress chosen in the 13th century by King Mohammed I as his palace. It sits high on a hillside, overlooking the city.
Close by is the Great Mosque of Granada (Mezquite Mayor de Granada) with its lovely gardens, and Albayzin, the old Arab quarter of the city. Another of Spain’s great monuments to Moorish architecture is the Great Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba) in Cordoba – admire its prayer hall with its intricately decorated columns and its splendid dome, glittering with golden mosaics.
Those who are visiting Barcelona, unfortunately, won’t find many traces of its Islamic period, since it was only under Muslim rule for a relatively short period of 85 years. If you’re visiting Madrid, however, then make time for a visit to Europe’s largest masjid the M30 Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre (Centro Cultural Islamico). Its fascinating collection contains Qurans from all corners of the world.
Read more about Spain in our dedicated blog article: Spain - a destination rediscovering its Umayyad heritage.
Sarajevo - Islamic Gem at the Heart of Europe
Sarajevo may not be an obvious choice, when considering Europe’s great cities, but this is one of the reasons that a visit here is so refreshing, not to mention such great value for money. In fact, it is at the heart of European history, being the place where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot, kicking off the first World War.
Sarajevo was part of the Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years, the influences of which are still felt in the country’s architecture, food and language – making it feel very familiar to those who know Türkiye. Sarajevo’s old town, Bascarsija, is almost entirely Ottoman in feel, with its grand squares, monumental fountains and labyrinthine bazaar. Make sure to visit the 16th century Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and Medrese and the fascinating Svrzo’s House, with its beautifully preserved Ottoman interior.
The first President of the Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, gained wide respect, particularly amongst the Muslim community who crowned him the “Wise King of Bosnia Herzegovina”. Visit his grave in Sarajevo’s Kovači War Memorial and Cemetery, where he is buried, according to his wishes, alongside the soldiers from the Bosnian Army, who were killed when Sarajevo was under siege, under terrible conditions, from 1992-1996.
Take a day trip to Mostar – enjoy spectacular views from the train en route – and visit its iconic bridge, Stari Most, built to an original design by the great Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan, and the charming old town with its Ottoman buildings.
You may also wish to take a day trip to pay your respects at the incredibly moving memorial to the victims of the Massacre of Srebrenica, 8372 civilians who were murdered by the Serbian Army in 1995.
Read more about Sarajevo in our dedicated blog article: A warm welcome for visitors to Sarajevo.
Rome – Echoes of Islam in the Eternal City
Rome, the Eternal City, is world-famous for its ancient monuments, but many are surprised to discover Islamic traces here too. As early as the 9th century, Arab merchants settled in the city, leaving behind influences in trade and scholarship. The Vatican Library holds precious manuscripts from the Islamic Golden Age, preserved and translated into Latin, which shaped Europe’s intellectual development. Visitors can also see Ottoman cannons captured at the Battle of Lepanto in the Capitoline Museums. Rome is home today to the Grand Mosque of Rome, the largest in Europe, with its elegant arches and serene prayer hall, surrounded by olive groves that remind many of Mediterranean landscapes.
Read more about Rome in our dedicated blog article: Rome - The Eternal City.
Berlin – Modern capital with Islamic Influences
Berlin, with its vibrant cultural mix, reflects Germany’s long-standing ties with the Muslim world. Located on Berlin’s UNESCO-listed Museum Island, the Pergamon Museum houses the celebrated Mshatta Facade, a masterpiece of early Islamic art from Jordan, as well as other treasures of the Islamic world.
Berlin is also home to one of Europe’s most active Muslim communities, with over 80 mosques across the city. The Sehitlik Mosque, inspired by classical Ottoman architecture, is a highlight, and its adjoining cultural centre often hosts exhibitions and community events.
Wandering through Berlin’s diverse districts, you’ll also discover Turkish markets and halal eateries, a testament to the city’s multicultural spirit.
Read more about Berlin in our dedicated blog article: Berlin - Europe’s Cultural Capital.
Amsterdam – Port of Cultural Exchange
Amsterdam has long been a gateway between Europe and the wider world, and the city’s Islamic connections go back centuries. Dutch traders were active in Ottoman ports, and their legacy can be seen in Amsterdam’s collections. The Tropenmuseum offers fascinating insights into Islamic culture and art from across Asia and Africa, while the Rijksmuseum displays exquisite pieces of Islamic ceramics and calligraphy. Today, Amsterdam is home to a thriving Muslim population. One of its most notable landmarks is the Westermoskee Aya Sofya, the largest mosque in the Netherlands, whose Ottoman-inspired dome and minaret stand proudly along the canals.
Portugal – Lisbon, Porto, Aveiro & the Algarve Coast
Portugal’s Islamic heritage is rooted in the centuries of Moorish rule, particularly visible in its southern regions. Lisbon reflects this past in its Alfama district, with winding streets that echo old Arab medinas, and the National Museum of Ancient Art houses Islamic artefacts from the country’s maritime encounters. In Porto, look for Islamic influences in the azulejos – the intricate glazed tiles introduced by the Moors, still adorning many churches and palaces.
The charming canals of Aveiro recall Arab irrigation systems that shaped Portugal’s agriculture. Further south, the Algarve coast was under Muslim rule for over 500 years, and its fortresses, place names, and citrus groves still carry echoes of Al-Andalus. Today, you’ll also find mosques and Muslim communities keeping these ties alive.
Read more about Portugal in our dedicated blog article: Portugal - A country full of wonders!
Whichever European city you choose to visit, searching on halalbooking.com using our unique halal-friendly filters will allow you to find the accommodation to suit your requirements, whatever your budget.
