Brief History:

: Al-Askari Mosque is located in the Iraqi city of Baghdad, and is one of the most important Shiite mosques in the world. This mosque stands in the city’s center and is believed to be one of the major holy places of the Shia Muslims. The mosquee was built in the late 9th century by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mu’tasim Bi’llah. It is known for its ornate, spiral minarets, its many golden domes, and its shrine of the two Shia Imams Ali al-Hadi and his son Hassan al-Askari. The mosque has suffered damages from frequent wars and bombings over the centuries, but it has been continuously restored and maintained by the local community. The Al Askari mosque is a stunning example of Islamic architecture and a symbol of faith and religious pilgrimage for Shia Muslims the world over. It is one of the most famous mosque in Iraq which you must visit.

Architecture:

The Al-Askari Mosque is located in the city of Samarra, Iraq, and is one of the most holiest Shi’ite shrines. The mosque was built by the tenth Twelver Shi’a Imam, Ali al-Hadi and his son Hasan al-Askari, in the 9th century CE. The mosque is a well-known example of classical Islamic architecture and is architecturally distinct from other surviving early Islamic monuments in Iraq, with its two distinct minarets and four unique golden domes. The two golden domes atop the minarets are the most visually distinctive feature of the mosque. Each dome is composed of golden tiles and has a set of four arches, symbolizing the four Twelver Shi’a Imams, all descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. The Minarets are made of brick and feature four large portals, one on each side of the structure. One of the minarets has a spiral staircase, leading visitors up to a tiled archway that opens out onto the terrace, where the faithful may gather to pray. The mosque's walls are composed of adjacent bricks with an outer layer of marble slabs. The inner walls feature intricately painted mosaics depicting various scenes from Islamic history. Furthermore, the inner courtyards are decorated with a variety of tile-work and light fixtures. The mosque’s interior is open to the sky, and much of it’s courtyard is surrounded by colonnades and roofed galleries. There is a pair of ornate marble gates leading into the courtyard and a smaller gate leading onto the terrace. The courtyard features several tombs dedicated to past Imams, including tombs of Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari. The mosque is an important place of pilgrimage for Shi’a Muslims. It is important not only for its influences on Islamic architecture, but also for its history and its cultural heritage. The Al-Askari Mosque is a unique example of ancient Islamic architecture and continues to be an important cultural center in Iraq. This is why, it is considered one of the most beautiful mosque in the world.

Visiting Hours:

Al-Askari Mosque is open to visitors from 8:00am to 5:00pm on all days except Fridays. Visiting hours on Fridays are from 9:00am to 1:00pm. best mosque in the world.

Travel Information:

Transportation: The quickest way to get to the Al-Askari Mosque-Baghdad from nearby cities is by taxi, as Baghdad does not have reliable public transportation. You can book a taxi in advance by phone, or you can also try to find a taxi in the street. If you need to travel by bus, you can take the bus from the airport or from the city center. Depending on where you are traveling from, you may need to hire a private or shared taxi to get you closer to the mosque. Nearby Hotels: There are many hotels and guesthouses near the Al-Askari Mosque-Baghdad. Some of them include: • Hotel Baghdad - this 4-star hotel is a 5-minute walk from the mosque • Dar Al-Salam Hotel - this 3-star hotel is a 10-minute walk from the mosque • Baghdad Grand Hotel - this 4-star hotel is a 15-minute drive from the mosque • Al-Rafidain Rotana Hotel - this 5-star hotel is a 15-minute drive from the mosque • Karbala Regency Hotel - this 4-star hotel is a 15-minute drive from the mosque Nearby Restaurants: There are many restaurants near the Al-Askari Mosque-Baghdad. Some of them include: • Altaaf Coffee-Shashlik - this local restaurant is a 5-minute walk from the mosque • Saafat Wa Qoot - this local restaurant is a 5-minute walk from the mosque • Dar Al-Habib Restaurant - this local restaurant is a 10-minute walk from the mosque • Shirani's Restaurant- this international restaurant is a 15-minute drive from the mosque • Iraqi Kitchen Restaurant - this local restaurant is a 15-minute drive from the mosque beautiful masjid.