[Mesopotamian Civilization] A List of Iraq’s World Heritage Sites! Tracing the Footprints of Ancient Civilizations

Below is a list of world heritage sites located within Iraq.

When most people think of Iraq, they may envision an unstable region with little to offer in terms of tourist attractions. The idea of “Iraq’s World Heritage” might not immediately resonate.

However, Iraq is the land that inherited the famous ancient Mesopotamian civilization, and its ruins are registered as world heritage sites, highlighting its status as one of the earliest civilizations in human history. What kind of sites are there?

Read on for the details!

Iraq World Heritage ①: Ashur

Ashur, the first capital of the Assyrian Empire, is a world heritage site located 390 km north of Baghdad, on the west bank of the Tigris River in Qarāt Shellakhut, Salāh ad-Dīn Province, Iraq. It is said to have been built during the early Sumerian dynasty period of the 3rd millennium BCE.

Ashur developed as a religious center, dedicated to the supreme Assyrian god Ashur, and its name is believed to have been derived from Assyrian mythology.

However, during the Hussein regime, the ruins of Ashur faced the threat of submersion due to dam construction. In 2003, it was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site and simultaneously placed on the list of endangered heritage sites.

Iraq World Heritage ②: The Archaeological City of Samarra

Facing the Tigris River, the Archaeological City of Samarra is a world heritage site. During the Abbasid period, the capital was moved from Baghdad to Samarra, and the city flourished for about 50 years, during which palaces and enormous mosques were constructed.

A highlight of the site is the minaret associated with the mosques, known as the “Malwiya Minaret.” Completed in 852, its spiral shape is a distinctive feature.

Such a minaret is rare, with only three examples existing worldwide. Due to the unstable situation in Iraq, this heritage site has been registered as both a World Cultural Heritage Site and an endangered heritage site.

Iraq World Heritage ③: The Citadel of Erbil

Located in northern Iraq, the Citadel of Erbil is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in history. It is estimated that around 660,000 people once lived there. On June 21, 2014, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, yet the origin of the Erbil Citadel remains a mystery. This site carries a touch of mystery.

It is also historically significant as the site of the “Battle of Gaugamela” in 331 BCE, where Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of the Achaemenid Empire.

At the center of Erbil’s old town lies an ancient fortress known as the Citadel, around which the city’s roads radiate.

Iraq World Heritage ④: Hatra

Located approximately 100 km southwest of Mosul in the desert area along the Salsal Wadi in northern Iraq, Hatra is a world heritage site also known as the “House of God.” It once functioned as a crucial fortress city of the Parthian Empire. Despite repeated attacks by the Roman Empire, it withstood them all.

Hatra remained buried in the sand until it was excavated by Germans in the early 20th century. It is said that here, various deities from the Mediterranean to Asia were worshipped. The unique shape of Hatra is believed to have been shaped by this cultural background.

However, a video showing part of Hatra being destroyed by the extremist group IS was uploaded online, and Hatra was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site and also as an endangered heritage site.

Iraq World Heritage ⑥: The Residual Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities

The “Afwal of Southern Iraq: The Residual Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities and the Biodiversity Reserve” is a world heritage site located in the basins of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It was inscribed as a World Mixed Heritage Site in 2016.

The wetlands here are said to be the birthplace of the famous Mesopotamian civilization—one of the four great ancient civilizations.

This heritage site encompasses three groups of ruins: Uruk, Ur, and Tell Eridu. Among these, the ruins of Ur are regarded as the birthplace of Abraham—the patriarch of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—and is also said to be the location of the “Garden of Eden” mentioned in the Old Testament.

Currently, the ecosystem has been extensively damaged. However, under a long-term management plan, efforts are underway toward its restoration.

◎ Summary

Iraq has many world heritage sites that are also registered as endangered due to its unstable conditions. Videos of the destruction of heritage sites by the extremist group IS have been posted online, raising concerns over the preservation of these precious sites.

Moreover, most regions in Iraq have long been under travel advisories or evacuation warnings. If you are considering tourism or travel, please wait until security conditions stabilize and always check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel safety information.

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[Mesopotamian Civilization] A List of Iraq’s World Heritage Sites! Tracing the Footprints of Ancient Civilizations