Samarra

Samarra is a city in northern Iraq, situated on the left bank of the Tigris River about 125 kilometers north of Baghdad. It lies within the Salah ad-Din Governorate and has long been an important regional center, with historical significance that extends beyond its contemporary role as a urban hub.

Historically, Samarra served as the Abbasid Caliphate’s capital during the 9th century, after the caliphs relocated the seat of government from Baghdad. The city’s Abbasid-era monuments are among its most notable features, notably the Great Mosque of Samarra and the Malwiya Minaret. The Malwiya is a 52-meter spiral brick tower that rises within the mosque complex and is recognized as a distinctive example of Abbasid architecture.

The Archaeological Site of Samarra preserves a wide range of buildings and urban layouts from the Abbasid period, including palaces, mosques, and other structures that illuminate the capital’s plan and scale during that era. The Al-Askari Shrine, a major Shia Muslim holy site located in Samarra, is another important landmark; its gold-domed tombs have made it a focal point of pilgrimage, and the site was damaged in a bombing in 2006, highlighting the city’s role in modern Iraqi conflict.

In the present day, Samarra remains an important regional center for transport and commerce, with road and rail connections to Baghdad and other parts of central Iraq. Its historic remains continue to attract scholars and visitors, while the living city reflects the broader social and political history of the country.