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    Tourist Attractions in Iraq

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Iraq. Photos and a brief description.

    About Iraq

    The ancient land of Iraq has thousands of years of history. The most valuable cultural attractions of this country are the priceless heritage of all mankind. Modern Iraq is the heir of the legendary Babylon, the ancient civilizations of the Tigris and Euphrates, a place where different cultures and religions have intertwined for hundreds of years. Fabulous Baghdad, the once picturesque “Venice of the East” of Basra, revered by Shiite Muslims Karbala and An-Najaf – all these places seem to be waiting for thousands of tourists who have come to admire the ancient buildings and delve into the history of the country.

    Unfortunately, a trip to Iraq nowadays is an extreme tour for the desperate. The echoes of the 2003-2011 Iraq War have not subsided to this day, the civil war has been going on for how many years. Many areas of the country where there are interesting sights (Mosul, Kurdistan province) are occupied by terrorists and rebels. The tourism industry in Iraq is not developed at all, no one guarantees security to a foreigner, since the government does not control many territories of its state.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Iraq

    Ziggurat of the Moon God Nanna

    A significant and valuable monument of the times of civilization Two rivers. The temple was erected at the behest of King Urnammu during the rise of the powerful Ur dynasty. The Ziggurat was built around 2047 BC, in size it can be compared with the Tower of Babel. The structure is well preserved, considering that its age is more than 4000 years.

    Ziggurat of the Moon God Nanna
    The Citadel of Erbil

    The Citadel of Erbil

    Located in the Iraqi Kurdistan. It is a structure with 30-meter walls and an area of more than 10 km2. The citadel was built more than 5,000 thousand years ago as a defensive structure, the city around the citadel grew about 4,000 years ago. At various times, Assyrians, Persians, Babylonians, Turks and Arabs ruled over the citadel.

    Babylon

    Once a great city of ancient Mesopotamia, mentioned more than once in the Old Testament. It was an important cultural, political and economic center of the ancient world, in the II-I millennium BC it was the capital of the legendary Babylonian kingdom, in the IV century BC – the capital of the empire of Alexander the Great, in the I century BC – one of the political centers of the Achaemenid empire. It has been in decline since the III century AD.

    Babylon
    Ruins of the ancient city of Hara

    Ruins of the ancient city of Hara

    Hatra is a city from the time of the Parthian Kingdom, located in the north of Iraq. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow here, and for centuries the settlement was an important trading point, for which different empires fought. In 2015, the city was destroyed by ISIS militants, and only ruins remained of the well-preserved temples and squares.

    The ancient city of Nineveh

    Nineveh was the last capital of the Assyrian kingdom. The period of elevation occurred during the reign of the tsar Sennacherib. He turned Nineveh turned into a luxurious and rich city, surrounded it with a 12-kilometer defensive wall. In the I millennium BC, more than 120 thousand people lived in the city. On the territory The library of Ashurbanipal was found in Nineveh.

    The ancient city of Nineveh
    Swords of Kadisiya

    Swords of Kadisiya

    A monument in the city of Baghdad, embodying the victory in the Iraq War. The monument was designed according to the sketch of Saddam Hussein, and later became one of the main attractions of the capital. The height of the swords is more than 40 m. They are made of metal, which was obtained by melting captured weapons and equipment.

    Al-Askari Mosque

    The main Shiite temple of Iraq, the tomb of the imams Askari and Ali al-Hadi. The building was built in the X century AD and for many centuries served as a place of pilgrimage for Shiite Muslims. In recent years, the mosque has become a target for terrorist attacks, the once magnificent golden dome has been destroyed. But she still works, gathering believers for prayer 5 times a day.

    Al-Askari Mosque
    Imam Ali Mosque

    Imam Ali Mosque

    An important center of Islam in the city Nejef. According to Shiite tradition, Adam and Noah are buried at the construction site of the mosque. Over the centuries, the mosque has been repeatedly destroyed, but it has always been restored again, so it has survived and survived to this day. Many Shiite preachers who contributed to the development of this branch of Islam studied in the temple.

    The Great Mosque in Samarra

    A unique architectural complex in the city Samarra. The minaret is made in the form of a spiral ascending to the sky, the width of the base is 33 meters, the diameter of the highest point is 6 m. The tower rises above the valley of the Euphrates and the Tigris, reminding of the presence of Islam in these places. It is considered one of the main Muslim shrines.

    The Great Mosque in Samarra
    National Museum of Iraq

    National Museum of Iraq

    The largest and oldest Iraqi museum, where the most valuable exhibits were once exhibited: artifacts preserved from the time of Mesopotamian civilizations, jewelry, statues of ancient Sumerian deities, various household items, weapons. During the Iraq War, the museum was looted, out of 15 thousand stolen exhibits, only 4 thousand were returned.

    Abbasid Palace

    The residence of the dynasty Abassids (originating from the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib) XII-XIII centuries. These rulers have been at the head of the state for more than five centuries. The building is a striking example of the architecture of Arab Mesopotamia. The interior halls were richly decorated with mosaics, elements of exterior decoration and walls have survived to this day.

    Abbasid Palace
    Mar-Mattai Monastery

    Mar-Mattai Monastery

    One of the oldest Christian monasteries on Mount Alphaf. It was founded in the IV century AD by a hermit named Matthew who fled from persecution by the Roman authorities. Mar-Mattai means "Saint Matthew" in Arabic. Over the past centuries, the monastery has been attacked several times by Kurds. Now the monastery is functioning, it is a refuge for people fleeing from militants.

    Rabban Hormizd Monastery

    Another ancient Christian monastery of the VII century . on the territory of Iraq. He was repeatedly attacked by Muslims who destroyed and plundered the territory. In the XIX century . Catholic monk Jibrail Danbo with the help of companions and bishop Mosul revived the monastery, but the pogroms continued. In 1975, the monastery was renovated, since then pilgrims have been coming to the monastery.

    Rabban Hormizd Monastery
    Shanidar Cave

    Shanidar Cave

    Located in the mountains Kurdistan in Iraq. Traces of Neanderthals were found in the cave. Researchers who support the theory of the divine origin of the universe constantly report on unique finds in the cave. These findings confirm the reality of the flood that led to the death of mankind (according to the Old Testament).