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Kadhimain Shrine.
A world famous shrine built in what used to be called
in Abbasis times Qureish cemeteries. The two imams Mosa al kadhim and
Muhammad Al jawad are buried there. The great elaborate mosque, constructed
in A.D 1515, has two domes and four minatrets all coated with gold.
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Al-Imam Al-Adham Mosque.
This mosque in Adhamiya was built over the
shrine of Imam Abu hanifa, who gave his name to the hanafites. He was buried
in Al khaizuran cemeteries in A.D 767, whereupon a small township grew up
round the shrine called Mahallat abi hanifa. Three hundred years later, in
1066, the Seljuk Sharaful Mulk Abu Said Al khawarizmi renovated the shrine,
built a large dome over it, and built a Hanafite school adjacent to it. The
building went into cycles of change, destruction and reconstruction over the
centuries, and was renovated by Ottmoan sultans and walis several times. The
religious Endownments ministry had expanded and renewed the whole mosque.
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Sheikh Abdul Kader Al Gailani Mosque.
It is the sheikh abdul kader al
gailani’s burial place, and the quarter where it was first built some seven
centuries ago has been called after him, Bab Al Sheikh (in Kifak street) The
shrine was originally a school built by Abu Said Mubarak Bin Ali Al-
Mukharrami, later improved and en;larged by his pupil Sheikh Abdul Kader Al
Gailani where he lived and contemplated and taught until his death in A.D
1165. He was buried there. In later times the Ottoman Sultan Sulaiman the
magnificent constructed a high expansive dome over the holy man’s tomb,
together with many ancillary buildings.
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Sheikh Omar Al-Sahrawardi’s Shrine.
In Sheikh Omar street, near the
middle gate ( Al Bab Al wastani). This famous mystic and theologian died in
A.D. 1225. The mosque over his shrine, one of the oldest axtant in Baghdad,
has a conical dome in Seljuk style.
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Sit Zumurrud Khatoun’s Tomb.
On the west side of Baghdad, in Sheikh Ma’arouf district. The tomb has a high octagonal “dome” in Seljuk style, one
of the most remarkable in the city. Erroneously ascribed to Sitt Zubaida,
wife of Haroun Al Rasheed, who was actually buried in the qureish cemeteries
in Kadhimiya, it is in fact the tomb of Zumurrud Khatoun, wife of the Caliph
Al- Mustadhi Bi Amrillah, who had it constructed as a mausoleum for herself
sometime before A.D 1202, during the reign of her son, the Caliph Al Nasir
li dinillah.
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The Caliphs Mosque.
Half-way in caliphs street, near Shorja, is a new
mosque with an ancient minaret that belonged to the caliphs’ Palace mosque
about a thousand years ago. The latter mosque was built by Al-Muktafi
billah, A.D 902-908, but the existing minaret was actually built much later,
in 1289, on certain parts that pre-date it considerably. It is 33 meters
high above ground level, with a base that has 12 sides measuring in all
20.64 m.
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The martyrs Mosque.
It is also called Um Attuboul mosque. On the way to
the International airport. Built a copy of Al Hussain mosque in Egypt.
There are other distinguished mosques for their
arabesques, glazed tile walls
and superb calligraphy such as Bunnieh mosque near the international railway
station, and 14th Ramadhan mosque ( old unknown soldier).
Churches:
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The Roman Catholic Church.
Usually called the Latin church. In the
Caliphs’ street near Shorja. It was built in 1866 on the spot where the
Carmelite Father in 1731 had built a small church named after the apostle
St. Thomas. It is based on a cross plan with great dome 32 meters high, and
has many interesting statues and paintings. It was completed in 1871.
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The Armenian Orthodox Church.
Known as the Church of Virgin Mary, at Midan square, Rasheed street. This is one of the oldest churches in Baghdad.
It originally belonged to the Nestorians before its ownership was
transferred to the Armenian Orthodox community. Especially interesting is
its annual service in celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin.
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The Armenian Catholic Church. Located at Souq al ghazel, caliphs’ street.
Begun in 1840 and completed in 1844. It was first called Church of the
Saviour’s Mother, then Church of the Assumption. In 1883 it was partly
reconstructed and had its altar and doors renovated.
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The Chaldean Church. At Ras Al-Grayyeh, near Wathba square. One of the
biggest churches of the turn of the century. Built in 1898 and called the
church of Mary Mother of Sorrows, it was later enlarged and had a cloister
added to it.
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The Syriac Catholic Church. Ras Al-Grayyeh,opposite Shorjah. The first
church to be built by the Syriac Catholics in 1841 and called Church of the
Virgin Mary.
