Baghdad, the capital of Iraq and one of the largest cities in the Arab world, is steeped in cultural and historical significance.
Known as the “City of Peace” in Arabic, it boasts landmarks like the Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani, the Iraq Museum showcasing ancient artefacts, and the Al-Mutanabbi Statue honouring a renowned poet.
The city’s architectural marvels include the ornate Al-Jawadain Holy Shrine and the poignant Al-Shaheed Monument. Visitors can savor traditional dishes such as Masgouf and Tepsi Baytinjan.
Despite past infrastructural challenges, Baghdad remains a hub of intellectual and cultural activity, offering insights into Iraq’s rich heritage.
Explore Baghdad, Iraq:
It is the capital of the city of Iraq and the second-largest city in the Arab world after Cairo. Baghdad is an Arabic word that means “City of Peace”. It is the most significant, cultural, commercial, and intellectual, centre of the Muslim world.
Baghdad has faced infrastructural damage due to the Iraq war. The climate is hot and dry in summer, cool and damp in winter. There is a lot of things to do in Baghdad such as the National Museum of Baghdad, Baghdad Zoo, Al-Saheed monument
Things to do in Baghdad:
1. Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani:
This place is also known as Al-Hadrat Al-Qadiriyyah or Mazar Ghous. It is an Islamic religious complex dedicated to Abdul Qadir Gilani. This complex is surrounded by a square architecture famous by the name Khilani Square.
The Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gilani complex consists of a mosque, mausoleum, and a library known as Qadiriyya Library that houses rare old Islamic books.
2. The Iraq Museum:
This museum features Iraqi art and artifacts dating from the Stone Age civilization of the Fertile Crescent to the Middle Ages. The Iraqi government moved this museum to a new building in 1926 and established the Baghdad Antiques Museum.
In this museum, you can explore art and artefacts from ancient Sumerian, Babylonian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Chaldean civilizations. The museum also has galleries devoted to collections of both pre-Islamic and Islamic Arabian Art and artefacts. This museum is open from 9 am to 10 pm.
3. Al-Mutanabbi Statue:
This statue was built to commemorate a celebrated 10th-century Arab poet, al-Mutanabbi. His full name was Abū al-Ṭayyib Aḥmad ibn Ḥusayn al-Mutanabbī. He was one of the greatest poets of the Arabic language.
This statue is surrounded by a local market where you can shop for souvenirs. You will also find plenty of cafes nearby. Many enriching cultural activities also take place near the statue.
4. Al-Jawadain Holy Shrine:
It is the mausoleum of Abbas ibn Ali and a mosque. Persian and Central Asian architects designed this architecture. The central dome resembles a teardrop and features ornate decorations, including internal and external domes.
Fine mirror work decorates the internal dome. Erected minarets flank both sides of the dome. The tomb is covered with pure gold and encircled by a trellis of silver. On the floor, you will find Iranian carpets.
5. Al-shaheed monument:
Locals consider this monument dedicated to the soldiers who died in the Iran-Iraq war, commemorating all of Iraq’s martyrs. Builders constructed this as one of three monuments to remember Iraq’s pain and suffering from the eight-year war.
The base of the Al-shaheed monument is a circular platform with a diameter of 190 meters. On this circular platform, you will find a 40-meter-tall split turquoise dome, which resembles the dome of the Abbasid era.
Both the halves of the dome are offset, with an eternal flame in the middle. Nearby the monument you will also find parks, a playground, parking lots, walkways, bridges, and a lake. This monument opens from 8 am to 5 pm.
Food to try in Baghdad:
1. Masgouf:
This is the national dish of Iraq.They prepare this dish by seasoning and grilling carp. They marinate the fish with a mix of olive oil, rock salt, tamarind, and ground turmeric.
Then, they impale the fish on two sharp iron spikes and grill it on a fire altar. Finally, they serve the dish garnished with lime, sliced onion, and traditional Iraqi pickles, with mango chutney served on the side.
2. Tepsi Baytinjan:
It is a popular Iraqi casserole dish. They prepare this dish by slicing and frying eggplants, then baking them with potato slices placed on top.
They serve the dish with meatballs, tomatoes, onions, and garlic, alongside rice, salad, and pickles.
How to reach Baghdad:
1. By flight:
Baghdad has its international airport by the name Baghdad International Airport. Planes connect Baghdad with cities all around the world.
You can easily get to Baghdad by plane from Munich, Vienna, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Dubai, Cairo, Manama, Tehran, and much more. You will get private cabs from outside the airport to reach the city centre.
2. By train:
Baghdad Central Station is the main railway station in Baghdad that connects Baghdad to the South and North of Iraq. The railway station also has a bank, a post office, a saloon, a shopping area, and a restaurant.
The railway station is not fully functional now. You can get a night train from Bistra departing at 7 pm that will drop you at Baghdad at 6:40 in the morning.
3. By road:
Baghdad connects to all the neighbouring countries by road.
