--- product_id: 635951658 title: "Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe" price: "€ 41.11" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.sk/products/635951658-stealing-from-the-saracens-how-islamic-architecture-shaped-europe store_origin: SK region: Slovakia --- # Cross-cultural history revealed 197+ glowing reviews Architectural heritage decoded Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe **Price:** € 41.11 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🏛️ Discover the architectural secrets Europe doesn’t want you to miss! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe - **How much does it cost?** € 41.11 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sk](https://www.desertcart.sk/products/635951658-stealing-from-the-saracens-how-islamic-architecture-shaped-europe) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Award-Winning Insight:** A New Statesman and BBC History Magazine Best Book of 2020, praised by top historians. - • **Unveil Hidden Histories:** Explore the overlooked Islamic influences behind Europe’s iconic landmarks. - • **Perfect for Curious Minds:** Ideal for professionals craving deeper cultural context and historical nuance. - • **Richly Illustrated Journey:** Stunning visuals bring to life the vibrant Middle Eastern origins of Gothic architecture. - • **Thought-Provoking Scholarship:** Challenges Eurocentric narratives with thorough, eye-opening research. ## Overview Stealing from the Saracens reveals the profound impact of Islamic architecture on Europe’s most famous buildings, tracing cultural exchanges from the Middle East to medieval Europe. This critically acclaimed, beautifully illustrated book challenges conventional history with compelling research and has earned top accolades in religious and world history categories. ## Description 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. A New Statesman Book of the Year 2020, chosen by William Dalrymple A BBC History Magazine Best Book of 2020 Review: Eye-opening and well-researched - Stealing from the Saracens is a fascinating read that challenges the traditional narrative of Western architecture. The research is thorough, and the connections drawn between Islamic and Gothic styles are compelling. A must-read for history and architecture lovers! Review: Comprehensive and informative - Comprehensive, well illustrated and full of 'Eureka' moments - at least for me. One of those rare books that you can't wait to finish but you don't want to finish. ## Features - New Store Stock ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 31,030 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 43 in Religious History of Islam 142 in Religious History of Christianity 794 in World History (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 197 Reviews | ## Images ![Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81aVFlTh5EL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Eye-opening and well-researched *by S***S on 18 August 2025* Stealing from the Saracens is a fascinating read that challenges the traditional narrative of Western architecture. The research is thorough, and the connections drawn between Islamic and Gothic styles are compelling. A must-read for history and architecture lovers! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Comprehensive and informative *by D***R on 8 December 2020* Comprehensive, well illustrated and full of 'Eureka' moments - at least for me. One of those rare books that you can't wait to finish but you don't want to finish. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A compelling read that reveals the Arabic and Islamic roots of European architectural heritage. *by A***L on 26 August 2020* This erudite and compelling read reveals the largely ignored influence that Arabic and Islamic engineers and Architects had in creating our European (Christian) architectural heritage. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on how Sir Christopher Wren’s was inspired by what he called the ‘Saracen’ style of Gothic architecture. Well written with helpful photos & diagrams and a very clever title. 6 stars. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sk/products/635951658-stealing-from-the-saracens-how-islamic-architecture-shaped-europe](https://www.desertcart.sk/products/635951658-stealing-from-the-saracens-how-islamic-architecture-shaped-europe) --- *Product available on Desertcart Slovakia* *Store origin: SK* *Last updated: 2026-10-03*