Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Back open in a new format!

In Egypt, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a very long common history. 'ONE GOD - Abraham's Legacy on the Nile' takes a closer look at the religious life and day-to-day coexistence of the three faith communities in Egypt, from the time of the Romans all the way up to the Fatimid caliphate in the 12th century. The exhibition shows that much can be learned from archaeological finds that reflect the largely peaceful coexistence of the world religions over the course of many centuries, especially when viewed in today's political climate. Over 150 objects from Egypt's rich cultural heritage are being presented, as well as reproductions and documentary photographs.

The exhibition takes its name from Abraham, the original father and archetype for monotheistic faith and a powerful common thread linking Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Also presented in the exhibition are other figures that appear across all three religions, such as Daniel, Joseph, or the Archangel Gabriel, who were popular figures in Egypt. Based on evidence found in Egypt of the holy scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, visitors are given a brief introduction to the essential characteristics of the three world religions. The display also reveals the different types of sacred buildings - synagogue, church, and mosque - and explains their architectural history and dissemination in Egypt.

The exhibition is not exclusively about religion; it also traces the everyday life of people in Egypt over hundreds of years. Objects on view reflect daily life, starting with birth, childhood, and school. The exhibition ends with the funeral rites and concepts of the afterlife among Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between three SMB collections: Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, Museum für Islamische Kunst, and Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst. After the scheduled end of the exhibition on 13 September 2015, the exhibition was redesigned and expanded, replacing loan items with new objects from the inventories of the three participating collections, as well as from the Antikensammlung and the Kunstgewerbemuseum of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. The exhibition reopened on 1 December 2015.