Destinations
These are some of the breathtaking sites and monuments that will enchant you on your journey through Mesopotamia. We have also included other locations that you can visit if time permits. Each destination tells its own story – of empires and discoveries, of art, faith and devotion – and reveals the deep roots of a land that itself shaped history.
Baghdad
Freedom Monument
The Freedom Monument, located in the heart of Baghdad, was inaugurated in 1961. It consists of fourteen bronze casts depicting twenty-five figures, placed on a travertine slab raised six meters above the ground. The monument itself is ten meters high and fifty meters long. The figures in bas-relief refer to Babylonian, Assyrian and Arab artistic traditions.
Baghdad
Baghdad Tower
The Baghdad Tower, formerly known as the International Saddam Tower, is not only a communications structure but also a historical landmark in Baghdad, Iraq. Built in 1994 during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the tower rises to an impressive height of 205 meters. Although its history is relatively short compared to the country's ancient monuments, the Baghdad Tower has witnessed the turbulent events that have unfolded in Iraq, especially during the Gulf War and subsequent conflicts.
Samarra
The Great Mosque of Samarra
The Great Mosque of Samarra was built during the Abbasid Caliphate by Caliph Al-Mutawakkil in 848 CE. It is located in the city of Samarra, about 125 kilometers north of Baghdad. It is one of the largest mosque complexes in the world. This magnificent structure is a testament to the architectural achievements of its time. It also showcases the splendor of Islamic art and design.
Baghdad
Martyr's Monument
The Martyr's Monument, aka Al-Shaheed Monument, is undoubtedly one of Baghdad's most iconic landmarks. The 190-meter-high turquoise dome, divided into a circular platform next to the east bank of the Tigris River and built between 1981 and 1983, is a stunning opulence. But to fully appreciate the scale and grandeur of the Martyr's Monument, you have to see its glory with your own eyes. In one of the few missions Saddam succeeded in, Art in America magazine rated the Martyr's Monument as the most beautiful building in the Middle East.
Baghdad
Al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa
Named after its founder, the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mustansir Billah, the Mustansiriyya Madrasa was built in 1233 and is one of the oldest universities in the world. The madrasa (school) is located on the left bank of the Tigris in Baghdad, which at the time was considered the most important intellectual center of the world.
Karbala
Shrine of Imam al-Hussein
The Shrine of Imam al-Husayn is a major Shia Islamic holy site and mosque in Karbala, Iraq, marking the burial place of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE; it's a significant pilgrimage destination renowned for its golden dome, minarets, intricate Islamic art, and massive annual commemorations like Ashura and Arbaeen, symbolizing sacrifice and faith against tyranny for millions of devotees.
