Cultural Iraq

Samarra

Site Ratings
Connections for Samarra
Samarra Abu Dulaf Mosque
Samarra Abu Dulaf Mosque 2

Samarra Archaeological City comprises the remains of a vast and monumental capital of the Abbasid Empire.

The site, although mostly unexcavated, has retained its original city plan. Architectural and artistic innovations developed here spread to other regions of the Islamic world, such as carved stucco and a new type of ceramic. Among its most notable monuments is the 9th-century Great Mosque, featuring a Spiral Minaret.

Community Perspective: the first review was from a visit in 1975, and the second was from one in 2021. Samarra has been virtually inaccessible for many years, but it has come out of the war relatively unscathed. Climbing the spiral staircase is out of the question nowadays, according to Tamas, who visited in 2023. In 2025, Els managed to visit several of the other locations, of which the Abu Dalaf mosque ruins are recommended.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Samarra Archaeological City (ID: 276)
Country
Iraq
Status
Inscribed 2007 Site history
History of Samarra
2007: In Danger
Needs preventive measures and conservation
2007: Inscribed
Inscribed
1983: Deferred
Deferred until receipt of necessary info
In Danger
Needs preventive measures and conservation Since 2007
Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • ii
  • iii
  • iv
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
Related
  • archnet.org — Jami' al-Mutawakkil in the Digital Library of ArchNet
All Links
UNESCO.org
Related Resources
  • archnet.org — Jami' al-Mutawakkil in the Digital Library of ArchNet
News Article
  • 19 Feb 2018 al-monitor.com — Will Great Mosque of Samarra and its minaret survive?
  • 10 Jun 2016 nrttv.com — Students start graffiti clean up of Samarra's spiral minaret
  • 31 Jul 2015 telegraph.co.uk — £500,000 project to save 1,200-year-old mosque threatened by Islamic State
  • 21 Nov 2007 artinfo.com — The construction of a training center and barracks for police is threatening the Great Mosque of Samarra.

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Archaeological site: Near Eastern
Travel Information
Red Zone Travel Advisory
Red Zone Travel Advisory

All of Iraq except Kurdistan

Recent Connections
View all (25) .
Connections of Samarra
News
al-monitor.com 19/02/2018
Will Great Mosque of Samarra and i…
nrttv.com 10/06/2016
Students start graffiti clean up o…
telegraph.co.uk 31/07/2015
£500,000 project to save 1,200-yea…

Community Reviews