To be held on 20 May 2026
The Golden Age of Islamic architecture ran from the Abbasid caliphate in the 8th century of the Common Era, surviving the Mongolian invasions of Central Asia and the Levant, and thriving until the 15th century CE. These 700 years or so saw some of the largest, most innovative and most beautiful buildings of any era: palaces, private houses, mosques and pleasure kiosks in areas of Islamic influence across North Africa, Spain, the Levant, Iran, Afghanistan and northern India. Justin describes the distinctive character of Islamic architecture, a response to harsh climates and an embracing religion, and often set in beautiful gardens.
Justin Reay
Justin served in the Royal Navy followed by a long career in business management. He retired from business in 2000 and then studied the History of Art and Architecture at Oxford and later studied Islamic art at Oxford and classical culture with the University of Athens. While researching for a doctorate in naval history, Justin was invited to join the Bodleian Library as a senior academic manager, advising researchers and graduate students and editing manuscripts in the Bodleian’s collections. He is a published historian. A qualified teacher, he is a tutor in the History of Art and Architecture and classical studies for independent colleges at Oxford and for private graduate students. A Fellow of two learned societies, and a member of the Walpole Society and the Arts Society West Oxfordshire, Justin is a frequent lecturer for The Arts Society with a wide range of talks and study days.