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Castles in Iraq

15 landmarks in the Castle Map atlas — every one mapped with a photo and its story, 12 with sourced founding dates, ranked by Wikipedia coverage and real readership.

The most famous castle in Iraq is Ishtar Gate, ranked #43 of 9,079 in the world — followed by Taq-i Kisra and Citadel of Erbil.

The Castle Map atlas charts 2 castles, 2 fortresses, 5 palaces & châteaux and 6 ruins in Iraq. They span more than 27 centuries — from Kirkuk Citadel (founded c. 800 BC) to As-Salam Palace (1999). Every one is plotted with its photo and story on the interactive castle map of Iraq.

Map of castles in Iraq

The northernmost is Bash Tapia Castle, the southernmost Zarb Castle — about 490 km apart.

See them on the map →

When they were built

Of the 15 landmarks mapped in Iraq, 12 carry a sourced founding date. Most were founded in the 20th century — 2 of them. 7 predate 1500 and 4 were built after 1700.

All 15 castles in Iraq

Ishtar Gate
Fortress · 6th century BC · #43 worldwide · #1 in Iraq
The Ishtar Gate was the eighth gate to the inner city wall of Babylon. It was constructed c. 569 BC by order of King Nebuchadnezzar II on the north…
Taq-i Kisra
Ruin · #190 worldwide · #2 in Iraq
Tāq Kasrā, also transcribed as Taq-i Kisra or Taq-e Kesra or Ayvān-e Kesrā are the remains of a Sasanian-era Persian monument, dated to c. the 3rd to…
Citadel of Erbil
Fortress · #300 worldwide · #3 in Iraq
The Citadel of Erbil, locally called Qellat, is a tell or occupied mound, and the historical city centre of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Round city of Baghdad
Ruin · 8th century · #359 worldwide · #4 in Iraq
The Round City of Baghdad is the original core of Baghdad, built by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mansur in 762–766 AD as the official residence of the…
Al-Ukhaidir Fortress
Ruin · 8th century · #5 in Iraq
The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidir or Abbasid palace of Ukhaider is located roughly 50 km south of Karbala, Iraq.
Republican Palace
Palace & château · 20th century · #6 in Iraq
The Republican Palace is a palace in Baghdad, Iraq, constructed on the orders of King Faisal II and completed in the early 1960's.
Kirkuk Citadel
Ruin · 8th century BC · #7 in Iraq
The Kirkuk Citadel is a citadel and associated structures located in the center of Kirkuk, Iraq, and is considered to be the oldest part of the city.
As-Salam Palace
Palace & château · 20th century · #8 in Iraq
As-Salam Palace is a palace located on Al-Kindi Street in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq.
Bash Tapia Castle
Ruin · 12th century · #9 in Iraq
Bash Tapia Castle, also known as Bashtabiya Castle or Pashtabia Castle, is a ruined 12th-century castle located on the western bank of the Tigris…
Abbasid Palace
Palace & château · 13th century · #10 in Iraq
The Abbasid Palace is the conventional name of a late Abbasid-era brick complex in Baghdad, Iraq. Its original identity and function remain disputed.
Sherwana Castle
Palace & château · 19th century · #11 in Iraq
Sherwana Castle, also known as Shirwanah Castle, is a castle located in Kalar, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Qasr al-'Ashiq
Palace & château · 9th century · #12 in Iraq
Qasr al-'Ashiq is a historical palace that dates back to the Abbasid era, located near the city of Samarra, Iraq.
Kanzad Castle
Castle · 16th century · #13 in Iraq
Xanzad Castle alternatively Banaman Castle, is a medieval castle build by ruler of the Kurdish Soran Emirate, Mir Xanzad in the late 16th century.
Sarvjak Castle
Ruin · #14 in Iraq
Srochik Castle is a ruined castle located in Barzinjah, Kurdistan Region. It is situated on a hill.
Zarb Castle
Castle · 18th century · #15 in Iraq
Zarb Castle: this heritage castle is located in the Ghammas district, 45 kilometres south-west of the city of Diwaniyah, and dates from the period of…

Frequently asked questions

How many castles are in Iraq?

The Castle Map atlas maps 15 landmarks (2 castles · 2 fortresses · 5 palaces & châteaux · 6 ruins) in Iraq — a curated selection of well-documented landmarks from Wikidata, not a count of every fortification ever built.

What is the most famous castle in Iraq?

Ishtar Gate, ranked #43 of 9,079 worldwide in the atlas's fame ranking, founded in the 6th century BC.

What is the oldest castle in Iraq?

The oldest dated landmark in the atlas in Iraq is Kirkuk Citadel, founded c. 800 BC. Earlier structures may have existed — this is the oldest with a documented founding year.

Which castles in Iraq are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Per Wikidata, 1 of the mapped landmarks holds a UNESCO World Heritage designation — inscribed in its own right or as part of an inscribed ensemble: Citadel of Erbil.