The Old City of Mosul

Mosul, situated around 465 kilometres northwest of Baghdad, serves as the focal point of the present-day Governorate of Nineveh. The city was renowned for its commercial significant strategic location which has attracted diverse ethnicities and religious communities. It has continued to be a link of various ancient trading routes as far as China and central Anatolia. The area's historical roots trace back to ancient Nineveh, with evidence of habitation dating as far back as 6000 BCE. As part of the Assyrian Empire, Nineveh gained prominence and was flourishing during Sennacherib reign (705-681 BCE). Following the decline of Assyria (612-559 BCE), Mosul was believed to have been initially established along the Tigris' western bank, now recognized as the Old City of Mosul. The Old City’s location is facing the ancient Assyrian City of Nineveh's archaeological remains and the revered mosque and shrine of Nabi Younis (Jonah’s Tomb).

The city has witnessed different dynasties and rulers throughout its history, and much of that was reflected in the rich cultural landscape and diverse ethnic and religious population of the city. During the Median, Achaemenid, and Seleucid Empires, Mosul superseded Nineveh in significance. It later became part of a Sassanian province in 225 BC and was annexed to the Rashidun Caliphate during the Islamic rule in 641. The city flourished during the rule of the Atabeg dynasty (also known as Zangid) during 1127-1222 with its influential rulers, such as Zanki (1127-1146). During that era, the city was home to Arab Muslims, Kurds, Christians, and Jews. In Mosul, the central urban hub of the area, numerous Muslim and Christian landmarks adorned the city and its surrounding areas. A standout architectural gem from this time remains the iconic structure in the city: the Great Mosque al-Nuri, featuring the renowned leaning minaret called al-Hadba. Commissioned by the atabeg Nur al-Din ibn Zanki, this mosque and its madrasa was built between 1170 and 1172, symbolising this flourishing period in the city's history. The mosque has been a significant site in the urban life and development of the Old City of Mosul.

The Old City stood out for its mediaeval city plan. It blended an array of Islamic architecture with Christian architecture spanning centuries, included diverse religious structures, and housed diverse ethnic and religious communities. Known for its scholarly pursuits, commerce, and cultural exchanges, Mosul was long recognized as one of the region's most populous urban centres. Witnessing a long-standing history,  Mosul's Old City, with its historic buildings and sites, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange, showcasing Iraq's rich cultural diversity entered UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2018.

This article was written by Renas Babakir and is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.