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Humanities Faculty

Islamic Art and Archaeology

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  6. Islamic Art and Archaeology
  7. University of Bamberg Museum of Islamic Art

University of Bamberg Museum of Islamic Art

Anja Heidenreich
Interior of the Museum

Since 1995, Bamberg is home to one of the largest collections of Islamic Metalwork from the 9th to 13th centuries from the Iranian world.

The museum and its holdings go back to the activities of Manfred Bumiller (1918-2018), who collected c. 6,500 objects between the years 1981-2015. One of the goals that governed the purchases was to create typological series in certain groups of objects, which were supplemented by items made of other materials. This way, important parts of the collection consist of ceramics, glass and stone objects, complemented by bone objects, manuscripts and coins. The typological arrangement gives a unique perspective on the design of objects, from ordinary to luxury. 

In order to secure his growing collection, Manfred Bumiller established a museum and a charity foundation in 1995. Bamberg, with its professorship of Islamic Art and Archaeology that had been created at about the same time, proved an ideal place for the museum. Since 2008, cooperation of the Bumiller Art Foundation and the University of Bamberg is regulated  by a contract, securing the scholarly use of the holdings of the collection, and the support of the University for the Museum. The name “University of Bamberg Museum of Islamic Art” is an expression of this continuous cooperation. 

Between 2022-2025, the permanent exhibition and the storage rooms were re-organised, so that the Museum shines with a new concept, improved lighting and new perspectives on the objects in its historic location. The museum storage can be visited upon request.

The original character of the collection with its typological arrangement of forms was kept, but enhanced with presentations on arts and crafts, archaeology, historical circumstances of technology and society, as well as history of science and politics.

In accord with the plans of the founder, the collection and a library are available for research on Islamic art. Facilities are supplemented by a multi-functional space on the ground floor that can be used for events like workshops and temporary collections.

For more information on the collection, its history and its founder, see www.the-bumiller-collection.com

Universitätsmuseum für Islamische Kunst
Austraße 29 (access from Hasengasse)
96047 Bamberg
Germany
Tel. (+49) 951-2 59 54
E-Mail: info(at)the-bumiller-collection.com

Opening hours 

Tuesday, Wednesdy, Thursday          10:00-14:00

Saturday, Sunday        10:00-16:00

Free entrance