//
Constructed from 1978 to 1981 with labour from volunteers, the church was designed in a distinctive Babylonian style including a main gate modelled after the Ishtar Gate. It includes a large yard and expansive gardens.
The Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa, also known as Cathedral of Mar Yousif, is the Chaldean Catholic cathedral and seat of the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan created under the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. The cathedral, named for Saint Joseph, follows the East Syriac Rite of the Chaldean Catholic Church, one of the Eastern Catholic sui iuris particular churches that make up the Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See in Rome.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
مزگەوتی جەلیل خەیات
The largest mosque in Erbil, named after Jalil Khayat who took the initiative for construction, but passed away in 2005 before it could be completed. His sons finished the project in 2007. The mosque architecturally resembles the style of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in Cairo, and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. It is widely regarded as having one of the most beautiful interiors. It relies on a combination of Islamic architecture and al-Abbasi design, except for the domes which are of Ottoman design. Standing 48 m tall, the main dome with a diameter of 20 m dominates the mosque. It is surrounded by 4 half domes and 12 quarter domes. With an area of 15 000 m², the mosque has a capacity of 1 500 to 2 000 visitors.
Parki Peshmerga
Annual marathon organized since 2011, with departure and finish line in the Sami Abdulrahman Park. In addition to the full 42 km marathon, there are also 10 km and 5 km tracks.
پارکی سامی عەبدوڕەحمان
Abdulrahman Park is Erbil's newly-constructed central park, spanning hectares at the edge of the city. It includes gardens, a jogging track, and ample walking paths, is mostly well-lit at night, and is a popular local gathering spot on weekends and evening.
مزگەفتی گەورە
Erbil's historic central mosque, still open despite renovations on the Citadel.
قەڵای هەولێر, Qelay Hewlêr
The Citadel is a in the centre of the city. It is a round structure, 30 meters high which dominates the old city and has been built upon seven layers of civilization. The total area of the Citadel is 110,000 m². The history of its building dates back to 6000 years and has been continuously inhabited since its founding. The citadel has seen the reign of many historic civilizations including Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Other ancient powers including the Achaemenian, Seljuks, and Sassanians also dominated the Citadel before being finally conquered by the Muslims. The Citadel of Erbil consists of three main quarters: Topkhana, Saray, and Taki, with a total of 605 houses in the areas. Picturesque view from the upper floors of the opposite shopping center. As of June 2024 the Citadel was still undergoing restoration. While visitors can walk to the top and see the main square and road (and have their picture taken overlooking this by a man with a professional-quality camera, who charges 5000 Iraqi Dinars for five shots and transfers the photos to your phone with a USB cable immediately after), most of the back streets are blocked off. Construction and excavation make the views much less picturesque, and mosques were closed.