A revealing history of Islamic architectural influence on Europe’s cathedrals, palaces and monuments.
A New Statesman Book of the Year, chosen by William Dalrymple
A BBC History Magazine Best Book of the Year‘
An exhilarating, meticulously researched book that sheds light on centuries of borrowing, tracing the roots of Europe’s major buildings.’ — The Guardian
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 recognisable 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 centres 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 Saracens is a rich tale of cultural exchange, shedding new light on Europe’s greatest landmarks.
- While the legacy of Islam is in danger of being airbrushed out of Western history, its traces can still be detected in some of Europe’s most recognisable monuments, from Notre-Dame to St Paul’s Cathedral.
- Diana Darke is a well-regarded expert on the subject of Islamic architectural influences and has speaks internationally on the topic
- The book was Shortlisted for the A+C Book Award
