L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art
Rich history alongside contemporary art and cultural events for the general public
The Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem tells the amazing story of the Islamic world from the 7th century to the 19th century. The museum’s collection includes thousands of rare items including metalware, jewelry, musical instruments, ceramics, scientific instruments, manuscripts and calligraphy, fine glassware, textiles, carpets and more.
One of the permanent displays at the museum is the Sir David Salomons rare collection of antique European watches and clocks, which contains, among other things, the breakthrough pieces by master watchmaker Abraham Louis Breguet (1723-1847). Breguet is the horologist who most influenced the history of modern watches and who is responsible for important technological innovations in the world of watches, such as the “Marie Antoinette,” that led to a revolution that redefined how time was measured. The collection is one of the three major ones in the world and includes many items of various types including musical pocket watches and singing bird boxes, automata, watches from the 18th century produced for the Turkish market, carriage clocks, and exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces containing watches and adorned with precious stones: a pistol, a fan, a perfume flask, a butterfly, a bracelet and more.
Temporary exhibitions
In addition to the unique permanent display, the museum features yearly two temporary exhibitions of contemporary art on various subjects that correspond with Islamic art and culture. The exhibitions are accompanied by dozens of cultural events for the general public, including gallery tours and meetings with artists whose artwork is featured in the exhibitions, music events, and lectures. Information on the new exhibitions can be found on the museum’s website.
Prices
Adult: ₪44
Senior Citizen: ₪22
Student/police officer/soldier/Jerusalem card holders/handicapped: ₪35
Child (age 5-18): ₪25
Tuesdays: ₪10
Recommended events at the museum
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 91 traveler reviews
An impressive collection of Islamic art makes for a nice diversion in West Jerusalem, and also makes for a nice break from the tourist circuit, as most of the visitors seem to be locals and not foreign tourists. The clock and watch exhibit is quite spectacular, but of course these are all European made...
MoreAn impressive collection of Islamic art makes for a nice diversion in West Jerusalem, and also makes for a nice break from the tourist circuit, as most of the visitors seem to be locals and not foreign tourists. The clock and watch exhibit is quite spectacular, but of course these are all European made and have little to do with Islam--they just happen to have been collected by the museum's benefactor. But this makes for a nice air-conditioned stop and feels somewhat different than most of the stops on the Typical Jerusalem tourist map.
LessGrandparents took 4 grandchildren for a cultural and experiential morning to the L.A. Mayer Museum of Islamic Art, in Jerusalem. A well-organized Escape Room hunt to find the 'missing' watch that was stolen in a robbery at the Museum many years earlier, kept our grandchildren (ages 7-11) occupied for over an hour. Then we...
MoreGrandparents took 4 grandchildren for a cultural and experiential morning to the L.A. Mayer Museum of Islamic Art, in Jerusalem. A well-organized Escape Room hunt to find the 'missing' watch that was stolen in a robbery at the Museum many years earlier, kept our grandchildren (ages 7-11) occupied for over an hour. Then we went to the Arts/Crafts room where they spent the next hour working-on creative arts projects, with a most helpful staff member. And to top it off, a visit to a most fascinating, well-organized and appealing museum of Islamic culture.
LessThe museum hosts an amazing collection of ceramics, glassware, jewelry and artwork arranged by the different eras of Islamic culture and expression, which serves to add context to the Middle East and to Islam generally speaking. The museum is in a very pretty neighborhood as well, with a nearby cafe (Talbiye Cafe) only 200...
MoreThe museum hosts an amazing collection of ceramics, glassware, jewelry and artwork arranged by the different eras of Islamic culture and expression, which serves to add context to the Middle East and to Islam generally speaking. The museum is in a very pretty neighborhood as well, with a nearby cafe (Talbiye Cafe) only 200 meters away, which serves great bistro food. A very nice way to spend the afternoon.
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