
Breadcrumb
Many of Mosul's historic monuments have been severely damaged or completely destroyed during the Islamic State's occupation of the city and the battle for its "liberation" in 2017.
The connection between these monuments and Mosul's citizens runs deep, and so does their will to restore them to their former glory.
"When IS blew up Nabi Yunes Mosque dedicated to Prophet Jonah [who is buried in Mosul], in July 2014, I thought that this was the moment a rebellion against IS could have happened. But it didn't," Faisal Jaber, a geologist told The New Arab.
"When the mosques, the churches, the synagogue and the archaeological sites are renewed, that's the moment when our Mosul will be alive again."
Mosul's monuments are many, and reflect its vibrant multi-cultural ang long history: Imposing mosques, ancient synagogues, grand palaces and even a Catholic church line its streets, none however remained unscathed from its years of IS rule or the merciless battle to reclaim it.
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The Nabi Yunes Mosque was blown up by IS in 2014 [Alessio Mamo]
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The former site of the Nabi Yunes Mosque (pictured above) was blown up by IS on the July 24, 2014.
The mosque was situated at the top of this ancient Ziggurat-like hill, which has been home to many different civilisations throughout history.
When built, the mosque replaced an Assyrian Church believed to be the burial place of the Prophet Jonah (Nabi Yunis in Arabic), called Jonah's Tomb. The palace had been originally built during the reign of the Assyrian King Esarhaddon (681-669 BC).
In March 2017 after IS was driven out of Mosul, a system of tunnels about a kilometre long dating back to Assyrian rule was found under the mosque.
Although the tunnel had been looted of ancient treasures, the Assyrian reliefs and carvings were still visible on its the walls.
Jonah is considered the patron of Mosul, so when the mosque was destroyed by IS, many locals were inflamed, but weren't able to rebel against the militant rulers.
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The Old Synagogue of Mosul dates back to the 13th century [Alessio Mamo] |
The Old Synagogue of Mosul (pictured above) is located in the city's ancient Jewish neighbourhood and dates back to the 13th century.
The Jewish community of Mosul, also referred to as the ancient biblical town of Nineveh, is thought to have formed in the 8th century BC.
Desecrated and abandoned over the past half century, especially after Jewish people were forced out of Iraq following Israel's creation in 1948, it is now surrounded by other destroyed buildings of the Old City following the Battle of Mosul last year. Houses in the neighbourhood still contain Hebrew inscriptions signifying their Jewish origins.
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The two famous minarets of the 20th century al-Saffar Mosque [Alessio Mamo] |
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[Alessio Mamo] |
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Our Lady of the Hour Church [Alessio Mamo] |
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The Great Mosque of al-Nuri [Alessio Mamo] |
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[Alessio Mamo] |
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The fountain used to be part of a spacious courtyard [Alessio Mamo] |
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The minaret was nicknamed by some as Iraq's 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' [Alessio Mamo] |
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[Alessio Mamo] |