Aga Khan Museum
North America's first museum devoted to Islamic art. The white building designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki is exceptionally refined.
The Aga Khan Museum opened in 2014. Founded by Aga Khan IV, the leader of the Ismaili community, it is North America's first museum focused on the art and culture of the Islamic world. The building was designed by Pritzker Prize winner Fumihiko Maki. Its white Brazilian granite exterior changes with the light, and colored glass in the central courtyard casts geometric patterns of light. Across from it stands the Ismaili Centre, designed by Charles Correa. Between the two is a Persian-style garden with five reflecting pools. The collection includes about 1,200 objects, including manuscripts, ceramics, miniatures and metalwork from Spain to China, and a rare copy of Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine. Admission is about CAD 20 (check the official website). The museum is closed on Mondays, and Wednesday evenings are free. It is located in North York, about 40 minutes from downtown by subway and then the 100 bus.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (Wed until 20:00)
Nearby sights
- Distillery Historic District
- Royal Ontario Museum
- St. Lawrence Market
- University of Toronto (St. George Campus)
- Nathan Phillips Square & Toronto City Hall
- Bata Shoe Museum
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Casa Loma