Holiday in Mosul

About Mosul

Mosul is the second largest city in Iraq and lies on the west bank of the Tigris in the north of the country, opposite the ruins of ancient Nineveh — once the capital of the Assyrian Empire and one of the largest cities of the ancient world. The city has been undergoing an impressive reconstruction process since its liberation from ISIS in 2017. Nineveh, directly across on the east bank, was the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire under King Sennacherib in the 7th century BC and, with an estimated 100,000 inhabitants, one of the largest cities of antiquity. The partially reconstructed city walls, the Nergal Gate, and the archaeological excavations provide insight into an 8,000-year settlement history. The Al-Nuri Mosque with its famous leaning minaret (Al-Hadba, "the Hunchback") from the 12th century was Mosul's landmark until it was destroyed by ISIS in 2017. The reconstruction under UNESCO leadership is one of the largest cultural heritage projects in the Middle East and symbolizes the resilience of the city. Mosul's old town was once a jewel of Islamic architecture: Ottoman merchant houses, Christian churches, and mosques stood close together, reflecting the multi-ethnic history of the city. The reconstruction of the historical substance under the UNESCO program "Revive the Spirit of Mosul" is progressing. The Souk of Mosul, one of the oldest bazaars in Mesopotamia, is partially revived again and offers textiles, spices, and the famous Mosul marble craftsmanship. The city is historically known for the production of muslin — the fabric got its name from Mosul.