Sightseeing in Baghdad - what to see. Complete travel guide

The legendary center of the Republic of Iraq – Baghdad – is situated on the bank of the Tigris River that flows in Mesopotamia. This land is the birthplace of the famous “One Thousand and One Nights”. It is also home to some of the earliest civilizations in the world. At some point in history, Baghdad was even the largest city in the world with a population of more than a million. When translated from Persian, the name literally means “bestowed by God” (bagh means God and dad is given).

Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr, the second Abbasid Caliph, founded the city in 762. Initially, he named the city Madinat al-Salaam or The City of Peace. Locals considered this name as a symbol of peace and prosperity. The name Baghdad became dominant later, turning into the only name of the settlement by the 11th century. The new city quickly became an important settlement and the center of the Abbasid Caliphate. The importance of Baghdad was growing due to its beneficial geographical and economical location, turning the city into a major settlement in the Middle East.

The city had to face tough times in mid-13th century when Mongol ruler Hulagu Khan plundered the territory and almost completely ruined the city. This weakened Baghdad severely, so the city couldn’t resist other invaders anymore. A chain of new sieges and wars shook the region. Ottoman sultans remained rulers in the city until 1917. Later, English occupants replaced them and stayed in Baghdad until 1958. The revolution against the king ended one more period in the history of the country and established a new republic with Baghdad as its capital. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Tourists may find it interesting to visit Al-Sarafiya Bridge situated in the northern part of Iraq’s capital. The bridge was built in the 40s-50s of the 20th century. The total length of the bridge, which connects two banks of the Tigris River, is 2,166 m. This is the most comfortable path that connects two neighborhoods of the capital, namely, Waziriyah and Utafiyah.

When Americans started bombing Iraq with aircraft, the bridge couldn’t escape missiles. Severely damaged but not completely ruined, the bridge kept standing until 2007. This is when its strong pillars became completely broken and the giant bridge fell into water. A terrorist attack helped to break the bridge down. Iraq’s government promised to restore the important bridge, and the country’s prime minister officially opened the restored Al-Sarafiya Bridge already in 2008.

At the end of the 90s of the previous century, the capital got a new tallest building in the city – the Baghdad Tower. It is located in the western part of the capital. The tower is 205 meters high, and its spire is 55 meters high. After a thorough restoration, the tower returned its original look and now has arched decorations in Arabian style. These decorations make the tower reminiscent of a minaret. There is a restaurant at the top of the tower. The restaurant is revolving, so visitors can enjoy stunning views of the city.

The Abbasid Palace is a beautiful architectural landmark that tourists should visit during their stay in the city. This is an important cultural sight of the late 12th century. The palace is located in the central part of Baghdad. According to local theories, this was initially a school. Local schools have an unusual term to describe them - madrasa. The décor is strikingly rich and sumptuous. The walls are covered with marble mosaic, and mirrors have intricate bronze ornaments. Skillful marble, wooden, and gypsum carving simply cannot leave visitors indifferent.

Travelers should also pay their attention to the Baghdad Museum. This venue has been displaying many important artifacts for years. This is the right place to learn more about the tough history of the Iraqi settlement right from its establishment. The museum exhibits numerous documents dedicated to the history of past years, household items, and various artworks. A collection of wax sculptures created by local artisans is a true gem in the museum’s collection. The war with the United States caused much harm to the museum, but the country’s government managed to restore the venue. Nowadays, the museum is open to visitors again.

It is possible to reach Baghdad only by making a transfer flight with a change in Istanbul, Dubai, and Athens. Traveling from Jordan is the easiest way to reach Baghdad by land. Taking into consideration the unstable situation in the world, it is better to enter Iraq using the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing if you choose to travel by bus. Tourists are usually recommended flying to Baghdad from Turkish cities. At the airport, it is always possible to catch a taxi that will take you to the city center.