Kirkuk Citadel History

Kirkuk Citadel, the oldest structure in the city, is situated in the heart of Kirkuk on a 40-meter-high artificial mound near the Khasa River.

The citadel is the oldest building in the city of Kirkuk.

It is said that King Ashurnasirpal II originally established Kirkuk Citadel during 884-858 B.C. as a military defense post, and King Sluks later erected a fortification of 72 towers across 72 streets.

Visitor Information

The palace houses a mosque with historical and religious tombstones (like Prophet Daniel’s tomb), two domes, three minarets, arches, and a graveyard.

Houses surrounding the citadel were razed by Saddam Hussein in an effort to eradicate the Kurds, but Kurds in the post-Saddam era have plans to restore the citadel and its neighborhood to attract more tourists.

Kirkuk Citadel Location

Kirkuk Citadel address: Kerkük Kalesi, Nahiyat Hammam, Iraq. Geographic Coordinates: 35.470092, 44.395727
See below the location on the map:

Kirkuk Citadel Map

The post Kirkuk Citadel appeared first on Every Castle.

Abbasid Palace History

The Abbasid Palace was probably established by Caliph Al-Naser Ledinillah in the 12th century, during the Abbasid period of history, making it one of the oldest palaces in the world, and it is the oldest surviving building in Baghdad.

The State Establishment of Antiquities and Heritage renovated parts of the palace, which now exhibits an array of historical items depicting the country’s Arab Islamic history.

It also features an architectonic façade, a central courtyard, arches, muqarnas (three-dimensional decorative corbels or stalactite vaults), ceilings with brickwork, and two stories.

It is believed that the Abbasid Palace was originally built for the purpose of hosting a madrasa, a place for Islamic theological studies.

Abbasid Palace Location

The Abbasid Palace is situated in Baghdad overlooking the Tigris River. (Address: Maidan Square, Baghdad, Iraq). See below the location on the map:

Abbasid Palace Map

The post Abbasid Palace appeared first on Every Castle.