Tourist Attractions in Samarra, Iraq
The Great Mosque
This mosque was constructed in 852 A.D. Caliph Al-Mutawakkil was the one responsible for its construction. During that time period, it was the biggest building in the country. Bricks and clay were used in the construction of the mosque. The mosque was constructed on an area of 787 feet long and 525 feet wide. There are around 44 towers that support the building. The large courtyard is completely encircled on all sides by arcades. The mosque also has a Spiral minaret that is 171 feet high and is referred to as Al-Malweyya in the area. There is a school of thought that holds that Caliph Al-Mu’tasim built this minaret a significant amount of time before the building of the Great Mosque.
The Caliph’s Residence
Caliph Al-Mu’tasim was responsible for the construction of this edifice, which has a view of the Tigris River. It was created in the year 835 A.D. At this time, some of the remnants of the structure include three facades with arches that are collectively referred to as Bab Al’Amma, which literally translates to “Gate of the Commander.” The Caliph would sit here in the past and listen to the grievances and other issues that were brought up by the regular people.
Al-Askareyya Shrine
The graves of Ali al-Hadi, the 10th Imam, and Hassan al-Askari, the 11th Imam, may be found inside this shrine. Ali al-Hadi was the father of Hassan al-Askari. They both both away in the 9th century, and their graves are situated in close proximity to one another. A large golden dome that is 223 feet in diameter may be seen above the temple. The construction of this dome required more than 70,000 individual pieces of gold. The shrine is known for its golden minarets, which are another prominent aspect of the building. The front entrance has a façade that is adorned with attractive designs. The splendour of this temple is enhanced with a clock tower painted gold, a courtyard, and walls covered in tile.
Al-Ma’shouq Palace
This structure, which may also be referred to as the Lover Palace or the Beloved Palace, can be found on the east bank of the Tigris River. The location is around 10 kilometres to the north-northwest of Samarra. Bricks were used in the construction of the palace, which was built in the year 889 AD. Caliph Al-Mu’tamid, who ruled over Samarra at the time, was the architect behind its construction. A raised platform serves as the foundation for the structure. Arabesques made of clay are used for the decoration on the interior. The arches of the structure are what hold up the roof of the building. Visitors may access the internal rooms through a walkway that winds around in a spiral formation.
