Differing from the shrines previously mentioned, the Minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra is not famous for its lavishness nor is it the burial site of an important figure of Islam but for its history and shape. The minaret is the last remaining part of the mosque which was built from 849 to 851. The rest of the Mosque was totally destroyed after an attack from Hulagu Khan, Genghis Khan’s grandson, in 1278 during his invasion of the Middle East.
The Minaret is famous for its unique snail-like shape, with worshipper and tourists alike being able to climb on top of it by walking up its spiral shape. On top of it, the fence-less viewing point provides great sceneries, for those not too prone to vertigo.
The Minaret, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, serves as one of the main symbols of Iraq, just like the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of France.
The Great Mosque of Kufa the Memorial of Shia Resistance, Kufa, Iraq
