Erbil Citadel

Erbil Citadel, photo courtesy of High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization
Settled more than 6,000 years ago, Erbil Citadel is thought to be one of the longest continuously inhabited sites in the world.
Location
Erbil, Iraq
Watch Year
2000, 2002, and 2004

On the Watch

To raise awareness of the urgent need to protect the site, Erbil Citadel was placed on the 2000, 2002, and 2004 World Monuments Watch

In 2019, in cooperation with HCECR, World Monuments Fund began two new projects as part of a master plan to repopulate the Citadel with new activities: the restoration of the hammam, and the restoration of the Heritage Building Complex for the installation of a Children's Interpretation Center. 

Work to restore the Heritage Building Complex was completed in late 2020 with the installation of the Children's Interpretation Center nearly finished, while work on the historic hammam is ongoing.

Central court during conservation, 2019
Central court during conservation, 2019.
Waterproofing the roof of the hammam during conservation, 2019

News & Updates

Related Projects

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Ishtar Gate of Babylon

WMF has been working with Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) since 2009 on the Future of Babylon project, including Ishtar Gate.

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Citadel of Aleppo

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Ninmakh Temple, 2019
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Ninmakh Temple at Babylon

This temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Ninmakh in the sixth century, was first excavated by archaeologists of the Koldewey Expedition (1899–1914) and later re-excavated and reconstructed by Iraqi archaeologists.
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The Lion of Babylon

Since 2012, WMF has been working with the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage to address the Lion’s presentation and protection.

Our Supporters

World Monuments Fund’s work at the Erbil Citadel has been made possible, in part, by the U.S. Embassy Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate General Erbil.