Museum and Archaeological Sites in Hawler

The history of Hawler dates back to over 6,000 years BC, which is the oldest continuously inhabiting city in the world, by this, Hawler will be a very great place which contains many archaeological materials which will be very important, not only for the Kurdish or Iraqi people, but for he Humanity as a whole.

This is Erbil Civilization Museum, the museum is on Kirkuk Road between the 30m street and the 60m street, just opposite to the Kurdistan International Bank, near Sheraton Hotel.

It is rich in various antiquities, statues, remains of Erbil & surrounding areas ancient civilization.

It holds a great archaeological library that is of benefit for historians and archaeologists. You can see obviously how neglected from the first sight, unfortunately this is a case in all the great buildings in our area.

This is Khanzad Castle lies on Erbil-Shaqlawa road and is one of the archaeological sites in the city of Erbil. It dates back to Soran Principality period when Princes ruled (Sulaiman Beg and Princess Khanzad) in Soran district whose capital was Rawandooz then.

In the media rule of Abbasids, there had been a small emirate in the mountainous area, to the east of Erbil City. It was established by the princes of Zarzariya Tribe. Its castle "Deween Castle" was considered to be the greatest and most famous in the region. The emirate was the main center for political entities in the area. The castle is located on the top of a mountain, looking down upon a great river. The princes of this emirate are believed to be the affiliates of "Shadi Bin Marwan", who was the chief of Rawand Tribe, who were residing the village close to Deween Castle. He was one of the grandfathers of Salahaddin Al-Ayyoubi.

Some Resorts in Hawler

Hawler is well known for resorts, like Permam (Salahaddin), Shaqlawa, Jundyan, Haji Omaran , Choman, Rawanduz, Gully Ali Beg, and to mention but few.

This is an old picture of Bekhal Resort, which located about 140 km away from Erbil governorate center, east of Gully Ali Beg, 10 km off Rawandooz district. The maximum temperature is 32 degrees Celsius in summer.

The resort is accessible via Gally Ali Beg road or Rawandooz district. It has a huge cataract with pure water falling down the mountain. There are several folk restaurants and other entertaining places.

From early spring to late autumn, tourists head for the resort.

It's being awhile I didn't go to these resorts. I should revise myself.

Gully Ali Beg Resort which is about 130 km off Erbil governorate center. It is one of the attractive and beautiful resorts in Kurdistan Region. It extends for 12 km between Korak and Bradost Mountains, forming a magnificent landscape.

The Gully is round 800 m above sea level, with maximum temperature 35 degrees Celsius in summer and 10 degrees below freezing in winter. In the gulley two rivers meet-one springs from Alana Valley, Khalifan sub-district; the other from Rawandooz district and Bekhal Resort. At the gulley entrance, both meet Seedakan River to form the Great Zab.

In addition to the major waterfall, there are several cascades. The resort is featured by its mountainous terrain and various trees. It is a gorgeous place for recreational picnics; it has a number of restaurants and other entertaining spots. In spring and summer, tourists head for the resort where there are private places for families.

The Iraqi Government used this picture on one of the monetary units, from old days till now.

Jundyan Resort which is about 147 km off Erbil city centre, 5 km from Soran district. It lies at the bottom of Hndreen Mountain; with maximum temperature 32 degrees Celsius in summer. Jundyan resort is famed for its magic sweet water spring flowing out of Hndreen Mountain bottom.

It is surrounded by varied trees. The Regional Government took care of this resort, including a restaurant, and other recreational and private places for tourist families.

The Choly Minaret

As we said previously that Hawler is well-known for having a Castle in the center of the city and secondly, for having a Minaret known as The Choly Minaret, which located in the west region of Hawler city.

They Choly Minaret which is 36 m high, was built between 1190-1232 (630 – 586 according to Islamic Calendar) during the reign of Muzaffar Al-Din Abu Sa’eed Al-Kawkaboori, the king of Erbil.

The minaret is composed of a high octagonal base and a tall cylindrical shaft, with a balcony located between the base and the shaft.

It’s built of baked bricks, the base is decorated with two tiers of niches with pointed arches, two on each of the eight faces that are inscribed in rectangular frames.

The balcony parapet is carved with twenty-four small niches, the access door to the minaret steps is on the eastern side of the octagonal base and leads top to the balcony. From there a small door gives access to steps inside the cylindrical shaft that led to the second balcony now collapsed.

The shaft tapers inward and is decorated with several bands of interlocking diagonal Hazar-Baf motifs that are separated with thin bands. Peculiarly splendid "Kufi", which is a type of Arabic handwritings, calligraphy can be seen, the names of Muhammad and Mas'oudi Muhammadi the builders of the Minaret were inscribed.

I have these two old photos of The Choly Minaret, but have some other new pictures, and will try to upload them soon.

Kurdistan Region as a Model for Religious Coexistence and Tolerance

Kurdish people are well-known for their tolerance and their respect to the other religions other than they believe in. I've heard more than one time that in Akre and Amedi towns, which located on the Iraq - Turkey border and belongs to the Duhok Province, the Church is just beside the Mosque.

This is not only a talk, let's bring some proofs, on 3rd of March 2008, the news comes from PUK Media that Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani met a high ranking delegation from International Peace Messengers Union in Salah El-Din resort, Irbil Province, on the behalf that the Union has chosen Kurdistan Region as a model for religious and ethnic coexistence. The Union also introduced to President Barzani a certification for his role in achieving peace and joint coexistence.

President Barzani appreciated this step, and emphasized his support for the goals of the Union.

Here I am going to upload 3 pictures that proves that Kurdistan is a Model for Religious Coexistence and Tolerance.





This is a very nice shot, for the largest and the most well-decorated Mosque here in Kurdistan, Jaleel Khayat and his sons Mosque, located on the 60m St., just on the other side of Shorsh Overpass.

They spent more than 7 years to build this Mosque.






St. Joseph Church, this church is located on Erbi-Ainkawa main road. Ainkawa is a town near Hawler city, most of it's population are Christian, and after 1991 became a local site for all foreign NGO in the region.

St. Joseph Church is one of the eminent churches in Ainkawa subdistrict. Its total area is 10000 M2 of which the premises take up 950 M2.

In 1978, it was built according to the ancient Babylonian design.



Al-Sawwaf Mosque, one of the largest mosque here in Hawler, if not in the Kurdistan all it's located on the Thirty Meters St., next to the Kurdistan Region Bank, Hareem Bank.

It constructed in the year 2003 according to Islamic architecture. It combines between modernism an heritage.

It has very beautiful and amazing look, actually the process of building starts during 90ies of the past century, on a relatively large area. They said that the fund for building this mosque comes from an old Saudian Muslim widow, may Allah bless her.

Hawler in 90ies

It's not rare to see snowing in Hawler, but it's not common too, this is very nice shoot showing Hawler Castle covered with snow.





The last 2 pictures, is more modern, they may return to late 90ies.

Some other pictures of Hawler

Hawler at night, showing the Gov. Building just beside the Castle.

Hawler in 80ies and 90ies

You can see how life changing, these pictures taken during last decades of last century.


Look, you can't find any buildings around "Delalxana". Beside, the Ibin Mustawfi's Stature yet not placed on the main gate to the Castle.




Usual appearance of Hawler Castle in the Spring time.

Some Old Pictures of Hawler 3

Selected Views of Hawler Castle

Some other unique pictures, selected views to the Hawler Castle...


The usual and traditional balcony of the Hawler Castle.




An aerial view of Hawler Castle, locating in the middle of the old city.

Pictures of Qelay Hawler

Floods in Hawler and some other pictures

Although now a days its rare to see floods in Hawler but these pictures shows that there were floods in Hawler in old dauys, during thirties and fifties of last century.

The picture from 1950 showing one of the oldest Quarters in this city, Tayrawa, which is considered to be one of the oldest quarters here in Hawler, and of course one of the poorest quarters too.

Hawler Basketball Team and other rare pictures

Some other rare pictures.



Youth from Hawler were always interested in Sports, and this pictures is the best prove.

I do remember when I was just a kid there was a stature for one of the soccer players here in Hawler, in Bazar, but don't know what happened then after.

Some Old Pictures of Hawler 2

Very rare pictures of Hawler in the old days... enjoy...

Some Old Pictures of Hawler

Old Pictures of Arbil, Hawler...

The reason I am uploading only three or so pictures per page, is that I have very slow connection and I can't upload all of them in only sing page, sorry for that...

Now, enjoy watching these unique great pictures of our beloved city, Hawler.



This picture taken at 1953, more than half century before now, you can see the place of "Mechko Chayxane" from this picture, which is the oldest "Chayaxane" tearoom in Hawler. It was a place and still a place for educated people to meet and discuss the political and social issues facing Kurd and the world.

I was only a kid when I used to go to there with my father and drink a tea, a popular drink here in Hawler and other parts of Kurdistan.


Look to the old man with Kurdish clothes, still it's a custom to the old people to wear Kurdish cloths.




Much have changed since that time.

Hawler in old days

Another 3 unique pictures of Hawler in the old days.. Enjoy ...

Erbil or Hawler Citadel (Qelay Hawler)

Qelay Hawler (Erbil Citadel)

Hawler is known for having a Citadel in the center of the city, along with a Minaret, Shekhy Choli Minaret, that's the reason they call Hawler as a "Shari Qela u Minera" which means, The city of Citadel and Minaret.

Hawler or Erbil Citadel lies in the middle of Erbil city. It has a round shape with its buildings and dwellings; 30 m high.

It dates back to over 6000 years BC. Hundreds of families live on the Citadel; there are 506 houses distributed over three quarters (Sarai Q., Takya Q. & Top khana Q.). They were built in artistic styles of architecture, particularly the houses of (Hashim Dabbagh Agha, Mulla Salim Chalabi, Ahmad Chalabi, Sheikh Jameel Ali Afandi, Haji Rasheed Agha).

Additionally, there are the Great Mosque and Citadel Bath built in 1775 AD. The Citadel was famous for having most of the idols and was a center for heroic deeds by the modern civilization figures; also, it was well-known as Defeated Holako's Castle.

However, normal life is still ongoing in the Citadel. As discovered by archaeologists, the Citadel holds many significant remains of various historical races; 5000 year-old relics can be found within its inside parts, but have not yet been researched fully.

Here some old pictures of Erbil (Hawler) Citadel "Qelay Hawler"