Mosul

Tigris river Mosul - View of Mosul along the river Tigris.

Mujahidi Mosque 36.340279, 43.140591 - Green Mosque (Mosul) A Dates back to 12th century AD, and is distinguished for its shen dome and elaborately wrought mihrab. Large parts of it was destroyed by ISIS in 2015.

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Mashad Yahya Abul Kassem On the right bank of the Tigris, known for its conical dome, decorative brickwork and calligraphy engraved in Mosul blue marble, built in the 13th century.

Mosul has the largest proportion of Assyrian Christians of all the Iraqi cities, and contains several interesting old churches, some of which originally date back to the early centuries of Christianity. Its ancient Assyrian churches are often hidden and their entrances in thick walls are not easy to find. Some of them have suffered from overmuch restoration.

Shamoun Al-Safa (St. Peter, Mar Petros) is the oldest church in Mosul, it dates from the 13th century and named after Shamoun Al-Safa or St. Peter. Early, it had the name of the two Apostles, Peter and Paul, and had early been inhabited by the nuns of the Sacred Hearts.

Church of St. Thomas - Mar Touma - 36.341411, 43.125354 - Church of Saint Thomas, Mosul - One of the oldest historical churches, named after St. Thomas the Apostle who preached the Gospel in the East, including India.

Mar Petion Church Mar Petion, educated by his cousin in a monastery, was martyred in 446 AD. It is the first Chaldean Catholic church in Mosul, after the union of many Assyrians with Rome in the 17th century. It dates back to the 10th century, and lies 3 m below street level. This church suffered destruction, and it has been reconstructed many times.
Ancient Tahira Church (The Immaculate) is considered one of the most ancient churches in Mosul.Al-Tahira Church dates back to the 7th century, and it lies 3 m below street. Reconstructed last in 1743.
Mar Hudeni Church it was named after Mar Ahudemmeh (Hudeni) Maphrian of Tikrit who martyred in 575 AD. Mar Hudeni is an old church of the Tikritans in Mosul. It dates back to the 10th century, lies 7 metres below street and was first reconstructed in 1970. People can get mineral water from the well in its yard. The chain, fixed in the wall, is thought to cure epileptics.
St. George's Monastery (Mar Gurguis) is one of the oldest churches in Mosul, named after St. George, was probably built late in the 17th century. Pilgrims from different parts of the North visit it yearly in the spring, when many people also go out to its whereabouts on holiday. It is about 6 metres below street. A modern church was built over the old one in 1931, abolishing much of its archeological significance. The only monuments left are a marble door-frame decorated with a carved Estrangelo (Syriac) inscription, and two niches, which date back to the 13th or 14th century.
Mar Matte- this famous monastery is situated about 20 kilometers east of Mosul on the top of a high mountain (Mount Maqloub). It was built by Mar Matte, a monk who fled with several other monks in 362 AD from the Monastery of Zuknin near the City of Amid (Diyarbakir) in the southern part of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and the north of Iraq during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361–363 AD). It has a precious library containing Syrianic scriptures.
Monastery of Mar Behnam also called Deir Al-Jubb (the Cistern Monastery) and built in the 12th or 13th century, it lies in the Nineveh Plain near Nimrud about 32 kilometers southwest of Mosul. The monastery, a great fort-like building, rises next to the tomb of Mar Behnam, a prince who was killed by the Sassanians, perhaps during the 4th century AD.
St. Elijah's Monastery (Dair Mar Elia) is the oldest Christian Monastery in Iraq, it dates from the 6th century.

Other sites

Bash Tapia Castle 36.355314, 43.121590 - Bash Tapia Castle A Mosul's old walls have disappeared and these imposing ruins rosed high over the Tigris until it was largely destroyed by ISIS in 2016.

Qara Serai - Black Palace - Remnants of the 13th century palace of Sultan Badruddin Lu'lu'.

Nineveh

Nineveh map city walls & gates - |Nineveh map of city walls and gates, before the destruction in 2016.

Just across the river and ever closer to expanding Mosul were the great ruins of Nineveh, an ancient Assyrian city and the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Once the largest city in the world and covering an area of some 750 ha, it was besieged, destroyed and left unpopulated after the 612 BC battle of Nineveh. There have been repeated archaeological projects and some half-finished attempts at reconstructions, but unfortunately the site suffers from rapid decay due to lack of protection from the elements, vandalism and looting. Large parts of the site, including its walls, was sacked by ISIS in 2016.

Kuyunjik - The ruin mound rises about 20 metres above the surrounding plain of the ancient city. Today and there is little evidence of these old excavations other than weathered pits and earth piles.
Nebi Yunus is the second ruin mound at Nineveh

The ruins of Nineveh were surrounded by the remains of a massive stone and mudbrick wall dating from about 700 BC.

Maki Gate or Gate of the Watering Places, was perhaps used to take livestock to water from the River Tigris which now flows about 1.5 kilometers to the west. It has been reconstructed in fortified mudbrick to the height of the top of the vaulted passageway.
Nergal Gate was named for the god Nergal, it may have been used for some ceremonial purpose, as it is the only known gate flanked by stone sculptures of winged bull-men (lamassu). It was reconstructed in the mid-20th century.
Adad Gate named after the god Adad.
Shamash Gate named after the god Shamash, It is the only gate with such a significant projection. The mound of its remains towers above the surrounding terrain. Its size and design suggest it was the most important gate in Neo-Assyrian times. The mudbrick reconstruction in 1960s has deteriorated significantly.
Halzi Gate

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Mosul

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Mosul

Halal Food

Alcohol is not widely available but in the aftermath of the liberation from Daesh a handful of cafes have reopened.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Mosul

Mosul - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Mosul, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mosul. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Mosul and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Mosul. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Mosul. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMosul: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Mosul.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Mosul: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Mosul, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Mosul.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Mosul, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Mosul, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Mosul and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Mosul, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Mosul, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Mosul without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mosul is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Mosul.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Mosul is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Mosul, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Mosul Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

As of summer 2022, most major hotels have yet to reopen in Mosul. The landmark Nineveh International Hotel was completely ruined in 2017.

Al Habda Tourist Hotel - فندق الحدباء السياحي في الموصل | 36.377205, 43.115069 ☎ +964 770 453 9305 Reported to be the only hotel open in 2018.

Telecommunications in Mosul

Nearby

Nimrud

Former 3,000-year-old Assyrian Empire city first excavated in the 1840s as an archaeological site on the eastern bank of the Tigris, 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Mosul. Overrun by ISIL (Daesh) in 2014, historic sites destroyed in 2015. The Iraqi Army reclaimed Nimrud in 2016. The site contained the palace of Ashurnasirpal and the king of Assyria. Many of the artefacts are in the London/Bloomsbury|British Museum, London and the Metropolitan Museum in New York City or Iraq’s national museum in Baghdad.

Mosul

From Halal Explorer

Contents

Churches and monasteries