Photo: Taisir Mahdi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
One of the oldest markets in Baghdad, where coppersmiths have been hammering out trays, pots, and decorative items for centuries. The rhythmic sound of metalwork is audible from several streets away. A fascinating place to watch traditional craftsmen at work and pick up handmade souvenirs.
Souk al-Safafeer is an ancient souk or bazaar in Baghdad, Iraq, that branches off al-Rashid Street and connects to al-Mustansiriyya Madrasa. The souk was established in Central Baghdad on the shores of the Tigris River in the Abbasid period and has been active ever since. Traditionally, the souk's craftsmen are specialized in creating handmade copperwork for household or decorative uses using simple tools like hammers and hand tools.
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المتحف البغدادي
History and folklore museum depicting life in Baghdad.
المدرسة المستنصرية
Often referred to as the Abbasid Palace, this medieval-era scholarly complex was established in 1227 CE. It's one of the oldest buildings still standing in Baghdad and a central landmark in the historic district.
شارع المتنبي
Baghdad's historic booksellers' street, named after the 10th-century poet Al-Mutanabbi. Every Friday, the street hosts a bustling book market where vendors sell everything from rare Arabic manuscripts to secondhand novels. The nearby Shahbandar Café, one of Baghdad's oldest, is a popular stop. The street was badly damaged in a 2007 car bombing but has been fully rebuilt and remains the intellectual heart of the city.
Built in 1898, it is the seat of the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Babylon.
Oldest mosque in Baghdad with parts dating back to 902 AD.
المتحف العراقي
Covering the history of Mesopotamian culture, this museum housed a huge collection before the Iraq War. Many pieces were looted, but in 2022, the museum was refurbished and reopened.