This year marks the 25th anniversary of the exhibition The Splendor of the Cordoban Umayyads. The Muslim Civilization of Western Europe, held at the archaeological site of Madinat al-Zahra. The exhibition, which ran from May 3 to September 30, 2001, is considered one of the most significant cultural events in the city in recent decades and provided a substantial boost to Córdoba's cultural and tourist profile.

The exhibition brought together nearly three hundred pieces from seventeen countries, an unprecedented initiative in Spain. It was organized by the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Culture and the El Legado Andalusí Foundation, with the collaboration of various national and international institutions.

The exhibition's value lay in its approach, displaying exceptional pieces within their original historical context. Madinat al-Zahra, the palatial city built by Abderramán III in the 10th century, served not only as the venue but as an essential part of the exhibition's narrative, creating a dialogue between the objects and their setting.

A diverse range of materials were exhibited, including capitals, bases, decorative panels, ceramic objects, metal pieces, animal-shaped ewers, and ivory works, reflecting the artistic evolution and technical refinement of the Umayyad period. Fragments of caliphal textiles and scientific and literary manuscripts were also presented.

The exhibition catalog, designed as a reference work, organized the 260 pieces into three sections: the East, the Emirate, and the Caliphate of Córdoba, facilitating an understanding of the Islamic world's connections.

With over 300,000 visitors, the exhibition helped rediscover Madinat al-Zahra and establish its place in European heritage. The event demonstrated Córdoba's capacity to lead global cultural projects and served as an example of ambition and institutional collaboration, encouraging continued investment in culture as a driver of development.