The history of the city of Samarra ... Iraq's Hidden Gem

To the north of Baghdad, on the banks of the famous Tigris River, lies the famous historic city of Samarra, once the capital of one of history's greatest empires, also known as the "Secret of the Saw", a city rich in heritage. It has given birth to many prominent Iraqi figures and bears some of the few remaining relics of the Abbasid state, yet it has been almost forgotten over time.

The historical importance of the city of Samarra

Although the land of Samarra was considered a strategic center in the pre-Islamic era, it was not until the Abbasid caliph al-Mu'tasim rebuilt it in 836 AD as his capital, and the city gained its fame. Samarra remained the capital during the reign of al-Mu'tasim and his son al-Mutawakkil, who built the Great Mosque of Samarra and its magnificent spiral minaret (al-Malawiyeh) and many other palaces.

Samarra during the Mongol invasion

Despite the prosperity enjoyed by the people of the empire, there were important internal issues and movements to remove the Abbasid dynasty from power. Samarra remained the capital for 60 years until al-Mu'tadid returned the capital to Baghdad. After the invasion of Baghdad by the Mongols, many buildings reflecting the Abbasid architectural heritage were destroyed. However, Samarra's buildings were far from the conflict and remained intact.

Samarra for Shiites

In addition to its historical significance, Samarra holds a special place in the hearts of Shia Muslims as it contains the shrines of Imam Ali al-Hadi and Imam Hassan al-Askari. These figures, descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, are considered leaders chosen by the Shiite community. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Muslims from all over the world visit these shrines annually.

Samarra Historical Mosque

Samarra Mosque remained the largest in the world for a while; its minaret "Al Malawiya Tower" is famous for its distinctive spiral conical shape and design, measuring 52 meters (171 feet) high and 33 meters (108 feet) wide with a spiral ramp. Al-Mutawakkil's rule had a great impact on the appearance of the city, because he seemed to have been a fan of architecture, responsible for the construction of the Great Mosque of Samarra. Al-Mutawakel and his hired workers as well as other people from the area built this mosque using molds made of baked bricks that included four marble columns in the corners. Marble columns were imported, which are based on the fact that al-Mutawakkil hired artists and architects from all over the Abbasid Empire to help him build the Great Mosque to look fit al-Mutawakkil.

The most important influencers coming from Samarra

The city of Samarra gave birth to many intellectuals and influential personalities who contributed in various fields. One prominent figure is Adnan Hamad, a former Iraqi football player and manager. Hamad played for several Iraqi clubs, including Samarra, al-Zawra, al-Taliba, and al-Quwa al-Jawiya. He has also managed several clubs and national teams, including Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.

Another prominent figure from Samarra is Muhammad Mahdi Kubba, a politician who served as head of the Iraqi Istiqlal Party and a member of the Iraqi Sovereignty Council from 1958 to 1963. In addition, Samarra is the birthplace of Sayyid Murtaza al-Askari, a Shiite scholar and new religious thinker known for his scholarly approach to the history of Islam.

Other Historical Monuments in Samarra

Besides the famous shrines and minarets, Samarra contains many historical places and monuments from the Abbasid Empire and earlier periods. Notable sites include the Abu Dalaf Mosque, the House of the Caliphate, the Palace of the Lover, and many other palaces. In addition, the city has many historical sites that are still waiting to be discovered, each with a unique story to tell.

Samarra, Capital of Islamic Civilization in 2020

Samarra remains a city rich in history and secrets, attracting adventure seekers from all over the world. Although it was chosen as the capital of Islamic civilization in 2020, the city's streets remain dusty, and residents continue to suffer from water scarcity and lack of basic services. Unfortunately, Samarra has faced neglect for more than 20 years, with little investment in infrastructure or urban development.