History & Heritage
7.11.2022
Iraq: Mosul monument restoration a success
Five years after the liberation of Mosul and the return of peace, the renovation projects of the city’s monuments launched by the United Nations are coming to an end, bringing Iraq’s rich and long history back to life.
Since 2018, the United Nations has been operating a major campaign named “Reviving the Spirit of Mosul,” aimed at rebuilding the Iraqi city’s historic and cultural buildings. The work is expected to be completed on schedule by the end of 2023.
Rebuilding Mosul’s religious heritage
The United Nations has joined forces with the United Arab Emirates, which is contributing $50 million to the work. This partnership focuses primarily on the renovation of Mosul’s religious heritage, mainly the Al Nuri mosque, the Al Taheria church and the Al Saa’a monastery. To date, the design of the eastern sector of the Al Nuri complex, including the prayer hall, the courtyard, the external fences and a small administrative and cultural center has already been completed. Renovation of the two churches is expected to be completed by next year.
Reviving life in Mosul
The UN agency is also working with the European Union to restore 122 historic houses that were partially or totally destroyed. Overall, local contractors have been mobilized to rebuild the buildings. The major project has created 3,100 jobs, half of which are for young Iraqis trained in heritage and building restoration. The objective is above all to redevelop the city and the local economy.
The leaning minaret of Mosul: an architectural challenge
The only difficulty encountered by the renovation agents is in the secret of the construction of the leaning minaret of the Al Nuri mosque. The so-called “crooked minaret” dating from over 800 years ago, represents the soul of the city. The renovation of the minaret is a real architectural challenge, as it meets historically, archaeologically and artistically important criteria.
Unesco insists on an exact reconstruction of the monument, in its shape, its original 12th century bricks and its inclination. When work began in mid-March, only the base of the minaret remained intact, despite 5,600 tons of rubble that had to be cleared away. However, the builders remain optimistic. The minaret should be back on its feet, and well tilted, in time!
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