Miniature of Abu-Zayd and His Son, 1334
National Library, Vienna |
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The aim of this exhibition is to recreate diverse aspects of life in the major
Mediterranean maritime cities of the medieval period (13th to 15th century). Art,
culture, politics, navigation, trade and human societies will be examined though
the presentation of culturally and historically representative pieces.
The Splendor of the Medieval Mediterranean is a large-scale exhibition
that will be held in two centers: the Museum of the History of Catalonia and the
Reials Drassanes ("Royal Shipyards"), which now house the Maritime Museum of Barcelona.
Each of these centers will focus on one of the two main themes around which the
exhibition is structured: art, culture, politics and trade, and navigation, respectively.
The Port of Barcelona will act as the physical link between the two exhibition
centers, and an itinerary will be created between the two spaces so that visitors
can view important monuments that are related to and form part of the exhibition.
These include the Llotja de Mar (15th century) and the Church of Santa Maria del
Mar (14th century).
The fact that the exhibition is to be held at centers located on Barcelona's waterfront
highlights the city's trading and maritime tradition, of vital importance during
the period that the exhibition covers. Barcelona is an exceptional point from
which to approach the exhibition's subject matter given its links to other coastal
cities and its role as the center of one of the most active kingdoms in the Mediterranean
context for the centuries we are concerned with. The exhibition draws attention
to the contribution that cities and towns under the Crown of Aragon made to shaping
Mediterranean history and identities, while at the same time highlighting the
relationship between cultures, trade, politics and religion during the late Middle
Ages.
Photo courtesy of: European Institute of the Mediterranean
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The Splendor of the Medieval Mediterranean
Exhibitions in the city