The initial educational video explains the basics of Islam. Then displays present the glory of Islam through breathtaking and inspirational artistic creations. Tip: free parking is available when dialing zero to security who gladly raise the barrier.
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
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 101 traveler reviews“Probably one of the finest specialty museums in the world”
This magnificent museum, dedicated to the faith of Islam, its origins, culture, history, and art is a breathtaking display of artifacts, videos, and exhibits that takes the visitor along the impressive path of the faith which has today about a billion and a half followers. From the origins of the prophet Muhamad, the...
MoreThis magnificent museum, dedicated to the faith of Islam, its origins, culture, history, and art is a breathtaking display of artifacts, videos, and exhibits that takes the visitor along the impressive path of the faith which has today about a billion and a half followers. From the origins of the prophet Muhamad, the split between the Sunni and Shia believers, the heyday of the Abassian khalifate to the Ottoman empire. Not too many people are familiar with the contribution of the Muslim world to mankind, from mathematics to Astronomy, literature, and philosophy. However, in addition, there is a special permanent exhibition of clocks and watches, notably the donation of the entire collection of Sir Lionel Salomons, a priceless collection of 191 clocks and watches, among them the Marie-Antoinette watch, crafted by the Swiss genius watchmaker Breguet, that took 20 years to make. There is an intriguing story to this world-class display as in 1983 over 100 watches of this collection were robbed, and only 23 years later the police got a break which resulted in the retrieval of 88 robbed watches. 13 still are unaccounted for. During our visit, the Coffee exhibition was also shown, in another marvelous way of telling everything about the "world drink", and the ways in which it is produced and consumed. In short, don't miss this museum which definitely should be on everyone's visiting Jerusalem "must-see" list. The admission fee for senior citizens is INS 27.
Less“Educational and eye opening”
“Grear for art lovers, not only of Islamic art”
Incredible collections of XIth century silver artefacts (the Harrari collection,) so valuable that the Al Thani fund will present a part of it in Paris this coming year), a honorable and interesting array of Islamic art, and the HIGHLIGHT- the watches collection from Breguet and suc- breathtaking jewels of ingenuity and art, I think...
MoreIncredible collections of XIth century silver artefacts (the Harrari collection,) so valuable that the Al Thani fund will present a part of it in Paris this coming year), a honorable and interesting array of Islamic art, and the HIGHLIGHT- the watches collection from Breguet and suc- breathtaking jewels of ingenuity and art, I think more beautiful but comparable to Faberg'e eggs. We saw the coffee temporary exhibition of coffee artefacts and israli memorabilia- cute and a perfect family outing. Genya was a knowledgeable and interesting guide who made the tour lively and enriching, and later explained so many great tidbits about the other artefacts. We spent almost two hours, and time was short even for the youngest (8 ).
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