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Salman Pak

Ctesiphon is a ruin in Iraq's Baghdad Belts. It was once an ancient Persian capital city, but only a former palace, with the world's largest unreinforced arch, remains standing. The town of Salman Pak is nearby, and is also covered in this article.

29km

33.09361144.580833

Fallujah

(الفلّوجة) — a city with over 200 mosques now better known for the sieges and battles fought here.

66km

33.3543.783333

Mosul

city in northern Iraq and capital of Nineveh Province

309km

36.3443.13

Basra

capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq

464km

30.547.8167
Sights (16)

Victory Arch

A huge pair of triumphal arches celebrating the alleged victory over Iran. Also known as the Hands of Victory. It marks the entrances to a former parade ground.

905m

33.3051666744.38646389

Baghdad Zoo

The largest zoo in the country, opened in 1971. It was destroyed in the 2003 war but has quickly recovered. There are, however, few larger mammals to see.

1.1km

33.31484544.376417

The Monument to the Unknown Soldier

Inspired by the glorification of a martyr from the Iran–Iraq War. The monument represents a traditional shield (dira¹a) dropping from the dying grasp of an Iraqi warrior. The monument used to house a museum which is now mostly empty. Ask the Iraqi soldiers who guard the monument for permission.

1.3km

33.308544.389

Baghdadi Museum

History and folklore museum depicting life in Baghdad.

3.6km

33.340144.3895

Kadhimiya

neighborhood

8.0km

33.3805555644.34722222

Al-Shaheed Monument

Another monument dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who died in the Iran-Iraq war. The monument consists of a circular platform 190 metres in diameter in the centre of an artificial lake. A museum, library, cafeteria, lecture hall, and exhibition gallery are on two levels underneath the domes.

8.4km

33.3433333344.44583333

Al-Kadhimiya Mosque

One of the most important Shi'ite religious sites in Iraq. It was finished in 1515 and the 7th Musa ibn Jafar al-Kathim and the 9th Imams Mohammed Al-Jawad were buried there.

8.4km

33.3844.33805556

Umm al-Qura Mosque

A mosque built to commemorate the "victory" in the 1991 Gulf War, the minarets are shaped like barrels of guns and SCUD missiles.

9.7km

33.33771144.296058

Al-Faw Palace

Also known as the Water Palace for its site beside the Tigris River. Used as a military base for US troops

13km

33.28444.2561

Salman Al-Farsi Mosque

Mosque located in the village of Salman Pak, Iraq

29km

33.144.583333

Al Abbas Mosque

The mausoleum of ‘Abbās ibn ‘Alī, located across from the Imām Husayn Mosque. ‘Abbās was the half-brother of Hasan and Husayn, and was the flag-bearer for Husayn in the Battle of Al-Taff. The majority of the design was done by Persian and Central Asian architects. The central pear shaped dome is an ornately decorated structure with two tall minarets on its sides. The tomb is covered with pure gold and surrounded by a trellis of silver, along with Iranian carpets rolled out on the floors.

74km

32.6171888944.03621667

Imam Husayn Shrine

One of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, it contatins the grave of Hussein ibn Ali, grandson of the prophet Muhammad.

74km

32.6163888944.0325

Samarra

city in Iraq

99km

34.1983333343.87416667

Al-Ukhaidir Fortress

A prime example of Abbasid architecture, built in 775 AD. The fortress has been a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage since 2000.

118km

32.4405555643.60222222

Kufa

city in Iraq, about 170 kilometres (110 mi) south of Baghdad, and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northeast of Najaf.

119km

32.0344.4

Najaf

city in central-south Iraq

122km

3244.33
Nature

we will see

Baghdad

Iraq
Someday we will visit Baghdad or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Baghdad

Baghdad is the capital of Iraq.

Baghdad has always played a significant role in the broader Arab cultural sphere, contributing several significant writers, musicians and visual artists. Famous Arab poets and singers such as Nizar Qabbani, Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Salah Al-Hamdani, Ilham al-Madfai and others have performed for the city.

Points of interest include the National Museum of Iraq whose priceless collection of artifacts was looted during the 2003 invasion, and the iconic Hands of Victory arches. Multiple Iraqi parties are in discussions as to whether the arches should remain as historical monuments or be dismantled. Thousands of ancient manuscripts in the National Library were destroyed under Saddam's command.

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

16°C4
Precipitation: 26 mm

Feb

19°C6
Precipitation: 28 mm

Mar

22°C9
Precipitation: 28 mm

Apr

29°C15
Precipitation: 17 mm

May

36°C20
Precipitation: 7 mm

Jun

41°C23
Precipitation: 0 mm

Jul

43°C25
Precipitation: 0 mm

Aug

44°C25
Precipitation: 0 mm

Sep

40°C21
Precipitation: 0 mm

Oct

34°C16
Precipitation: 3 mm

Nov

25°C11
Precipitation: 21 mm

Dec

18°C5
Precipitation: 26 mm
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