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Top Things To See
Kadhimimain Mosque
Marvel at the elaborate and ancient Kadhimimain Mosque in Baghdad - one of the most important in Iraq. This spectacular mosque has four gold-coated minarets and two domes and was built in 1515 AD. Abbasid Palace Admire the Abbasid Palace - a fine remnant of 13th century Baghdad, overlooking the Tigris River. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city representing a period when Baghdad was a centre of education as well as trade. Arch of Ctesiphon Sitting east of Baghdad along the Tigris River, the Arch of Ctesiphon is built of mud brick and is the most spectacular remnant of a city that was captured variously through the century by the Romans, Byzantine Empire, Parthians and Sassanians. It was a remarkable feat of engineering for its time. Ur Be in awe of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur - one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Iraq, with its earliest buildings dating back to 4000 BC. Archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of the well preserved Great Ziggurat. Ninevah See Assyrian bas reliefs in Ninevah - the third capital of Assyria. Located on the Tigris River in the suburbs of modern Mosul, Nineveh was a centre of worship for the goddess Ishtar, an Assyrian capital and reached its height around 700 BC. The Green Zone Don't miss visiting the ten acre fortified zone in the centre of Baghdad. Iraqi government ministries, Western Embassies and several ostentatious palaces, notably the Republican Palace, built by Saddam and his family are all in this heavily guarded area. Babylon An hour south of Baghdad is the historical site of Babylon and it's legendary Hanging Gardens. Dating back to 2300 BC, Babylon was a political and religious centre for successive empires. Samarra Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007 due to it's well preserved ruins and history, Samarra represented the power of the vast Abbasid Empire. The 9th century Great Mosque and minaret are some of the most impressive early Islamic ruins in Iraq. Hatra One of the few stone ruins in Iraq, Hatra is a beautiful, well preserved city and perhaps the most striking archaeological site in Iraq. Hatra was the capital of the first Arab Kingdom in Mesopatamia and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See Contact Addresses for further tourist information. Note: In the aftermath of the 2003 war, there may be damage to any of the above sites and buildings. Lootings led to the disappearance of many of the archaeological treasures and manuscripts from Iraq's museums. At present, travellers are not advised to visit Iraq due to its highly dangerous security situation. |
