The first systematic archaeological excavations at the Citadel started in 2013, and in 2014, the Erbil Citadel became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Citadel, now accessible to the public, has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists from other regions of Iraq.

What is special about Erbil Citadel?

Erbil Citadel is a fortified settlement on top of an imposing ovoid-shaped tell (a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot) in the Kurdistan region, Erbil Governorate. The citadel features a peculiar fan-like pattern dating back to Erbils late Ottoman phase.

Why is the Erbil Citadel important?

During the Sassanian period and the Abbasid Caliphate, Erbil was an important centre for Christianity. After the Mongols captured the citadel in 1258, the importance of Erbil declined .Citadel of Erbil.Erbil/Hewlêr CitadelReference no.1437State PartyIraqRegionList of World Heritage Sites in Iraq20 more rows

What is the citadel of Ur Bilum?

According to local historians, the ancient citadel in Irbil has been the site of human habitation for more than 7,000 years. The Sumerians built a town on the flat Mesopotamian plains here they called Ur Bilum. Civilizations came and went.

What is the oldest citadel in the world?

the Erbil Citadel They all set up camp on a small plot of land in what is now the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq: the Erbil Citadel. The Citadel is possibly the oldest continuously occupied human settlement on Earth, dating back at least 6,000 years.

Is Erbil Safe 2021?

Erbil (Hawlêr in Kurdish and sometimes spelt Arbil in the English speaking world) is a city in Iraq and the de facto capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of three provinces in northern Iraq. Unlike the rest of federal Iraq, Erbil is currently a safe place to travel.

Is it safe in Erbil?

Erbil is considered a safe city to visit. However, simple security procedures are recommended, such as not overtly displaying wealth, being careful of Taxi drivers who may not speak English and may overcharge.

What was the citadel used for?

In time of war the citadel in many cases afforded retreat to the people living in the areas around the town. However, citadels were often used also to protect a garrison or political power from the inhabitants of the town where it was located, being designed to ensure loyalty from the town that they defended.

Is Baghdad safe in 2021?

Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, and the second-largest Arab city after Cairo, with a population of around 7 million. Baghdad is, unfortunately, currently in an extremely dangerous security situation, under a very high threat of terrorist attack and very high threat of kidnapping.

What does citadel mean in the Bible?

elevated stronghold A citadel is an elevated stronghold within a walled city. Gehazi hid riches in the citadel (MT o¯pel) in which Elisha took refuge (2Kgs 5:25).

What was citadel Class 6?

A citadel is the core fortified area of a town or city. It may be a fortress, castle, or fortified center. The term is a diminutive of city and thus means little city, so called because it is a smaller part of the city of which it is the defensive core.