Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe [Paperback]

A revealing history of Islamic architecture's influence on Europe's cathedrals, palaces and public buildings.Against a backdrop of Islamophobia, Europeans are increasingly airbrushing from history their cultural debt to the Muslim world. But this legacy lives on in some of Europe's most recognizable buildings, from Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Houses of Parliament.This beautifully illustrated book reveals the Arab and Islamic roots of Europe's architectural heritage. Diana Darke traces ideas and styles from vibrant Middle Eastern centers like Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo, via Muslim Spain, Venice and Sicily into Europe. She describes how medieval crusaders, pilgrims and merchants encountered Arab Muslim culture on their way to the Holy Land; and explores more recent artistic interaction between Ottoman and Western cultures, including Sir Christopher Wren's inspirations in the Saracen style of Gothic architecture.Recovering this long yet overlooked history of architectural borrowing, Stealing from the Saracensis a rich tale of cultural exchange, shedding new light on Europe's greatest landmarks.IntroductionChapter 1 Christopher Wren: The Arch-SynthesiserChapter 2 Gothic Architecture: The Saracen Style Chapter 3 The Pre-Islamic Inheritance: Pagan and Early Christian Architecture in SyriaChapter 4 The First Islamic Empire: The Umayyads in Syria (661-750)Chapter 5 Andalusia: The Umayyads in Spain (756-1492)Chapter 6 The Abbasid and Fatimid Caliphates (750-1258)Chapter 7 Gateways to Europe (800-1400)Chapter 8 Architectural Influences from the Seljuks, the Ottomans and Sinan (1075-1924)Chapter 9 The Revivals-Neo-Gothic, Neo-Saracenic, Neo-Moorish (1717-2026)Chapter 10 Iconic Buildings of Europe: Images with Key Influences ListedConclusionDiana Darke is an Arabist and cultural expert who has lived and worked in the Middle East for over thirty years. She is the author ofThe Merchant of Syria: A History of SurvivalandMy House in Damascus: An Inside Vilã§