What is Samarra known for?
Samarra Archaeological City is the site of a powerful Islamic capital city that ruled over the provinces of the Abbasid Empire extending from Tunisia to Central Asia for a century.
What happened to the city of Samarra?
During the long decline of the Abbasid empire, Samarra was largely abandoned starting in AD 940. Its population returned to Baghdad and the city rapidly declined. Its field of ruins is the only world metropolis of late antiquity which is available for serious archaeology.
Who built the Mosque of Samarra?
Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil
It was built in the 9th century, and commissioned by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil, who moved to Samarra to escape conflict with the local population in Baghdad and remained there for the next 56 years—a period during which he built many palaces including the largest mosque in all of Islam.
Who built the mosque of Samarra?
Which Imam is Samarra?
UNDER THE GOLDEN DOME: The Iraqi city of SAMARRA is the site of two major Shi’ite shrines. Consecrated in 852, the Golden Mosque is said to hold the remains of two Shi’ite imams: Ali al-Naqi and his son, Hasan al-Askari.
Why was Samarra built?
It was built in the 9th century, and commissioned by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil, who moved to Samarra to escape conflict with the local population in Baghdad and remained there for the next 56 years—a period during which he built many palaces including the largest mosque in all of Islam.
What is the population of Samarra in Iraq?
In 2003 the city had an estimated population of 348,700. During the Iraqi Civil War, Samarra was in the ” Sunni Triangle ” of violence. In the medieval times, Samarra was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and is the only remaining Islamic capital that retains its original plan, architecture and artistic relics.
Who is Ali al-Samarrai?
Al-Samarrai served as the deputy of the Military Intelligence Director in 1988 during the Anfal Genocide, in the Iraqi Intelligence during the Iran–Iraq War and was appointed head of Military Intelligence Agency in 1990.
What is the significance of Samarra?
In the medieval times, Samarra was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and is the only remaining Islamic capital that retains its original plan, architecture and artistic relics. In 2007, UNESCO named Samarra one of its World Heritage Sites.
Who is General Wafiq al-Samarrai?
Wafiq al-Samarrai (born 1 July 1947) is an Iraqi general formerly chief of Iraqi general military intelligence born in the region of Samarra .