The Iraqi National Museum
The Iraqi National Museum, located in Baghdad, serves as a prominent repository of archaeological artifacts and art that span from the Stone Age to the medieval period. Following World War I, European and American archaeologists conducted extensive excavations throughout Iraq. In an effort to safeguard these invaluable discoveries from leaving the country, British intelligence officer and archaeologist Gertrude Bell, who was also the Director of Antiquities in Iraq, collected these artifacts at a governmental building in Baghdad in 1922. By 1926, the Iraqi government established the Baghdad Archaeological Museum and transferred the collection there. In 1966, the artifacts were moved again to a newly constructed two-story building in a district known as Al-Olaya, at which point the museum was renamed the Iraqi National Museum.
The museum houses artifacts originating from Sumerian, Babylonian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Chaldean civilizations, and it features a variety of exhibitions showcasing Islamic and Arab art and artifacts.
The Martyrs’ Monument
The Martyrs’ Monument serves as a memorial honoring the lives of those who perished in the Iran-Iraq War. This striking monument rises majestically from a man-made lake in Baghdad, resembling a surreal relic from an ancient civilization. Erected during Saddam Hussein’s regime, construction was completed in 1983, with design contributions from Iraqi sculptor Ismail Fattah AlTurk. The monument features a towering 40-meter Arabesque dome adorned with ceramic tiles, which is divided into sections that converge downward, housing a flame within its core. Beneath this memorial lies a library, museum, and various facilities dedicated to commemorating the Iraqi soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict.
The Archaeological City of Samarra
Samarra is renowned as the former capital of a powerful Islamic state that governed numerous provinces across the Abbasid Empire, stretching from Tunisia to Central Asia. Situated along both banks of the Tigris River, approximately 130 kilometers north of Baghdad, the city is distinguished by its architectural and artistic innovations that not only flourished in the region but also influenced broader areas. Prominent among its historical landmarks are the Great Mosque and the spiral minaret.
The Mustansiriya School
Founded in 1227 AD during the Abbasid era by Caliph Al-Mustansir Billah, the Mustansiriya School in Baghdad was an influential cultural and academic center. Overlooking the banks of the Tigris River, this theological school offered teachings on the four orthodox Islamic schools of thought. Construction took six years, and it was inaugurated in 1234 AD.
Other Historical Sites in Baghdad
Among the other significant historical sites in Baghdad are:
- The Taq Kasra (Arch of Ctesiphon).
- The Minaret of the Khatun Tomb.
- The Caliphate Mosque.
- The Khan Marjan.
- The City of Hatra.