Erbil Citadel
Settlements built on top of older settlements for 7,000 years have created a large elevated mound in the heart of the historical city of Erbil (also known as Hawler) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. On top of the elevated ground, Erbil Citadel stands witness to the passing of time and history. Erbil Citadel is a fortified, ovoid-shaped ancient mound. Seen from above, the mound of earth sprouts from the otherwise flat surrounding terrain. The elevation is due to millennia of settlements built one on top of the other. Dwellings were usually made of mud bricks, which in time disintegrated and contributed to heightening the overall ground of the citadel, which raised more than 100 feet over the centuries. The first recorded document that mentions the citadel is from 2300 B.C., but the most ancient traces date back to 5000 B.C. Unsurprisingly, the citadel has undergone several phases of destruction and reconstruction. Although Kurdish and Assyrian people tended to inhabit the citadel, various waves of outsiders went through, including Sumerians, Mongols, Ottomans, and Europeans.including Sumerians, Mongols, Ottomans, and Europeans.
Amedi
It is home to several historic sites. The Old Gate lies to the west of the Citadel and the Old Mosque is at the center of the town. The Minaret, the Dome and the Zoroastrain Gate are also worth a visit. For centuries, Amedi was the capital of the Badinan Emirate, until the end of the Ottoman Empire, and the tombs of some Emirs are still located inside the town.
Gali Sheran - Avashin
Gali Sheran - Avashin In the province of Duhok has been one of the hottest tourist destination in the Kurdistan Region, thanks to its stunning landscape and nature. This place has remained untouched until recently. The location resides in the mountains, meaning people have to hike for at least two hours before reaching the spot. People on social media have called Gali Sherana “the paradise of Kurdistan” with its blue water and stunning view. The water is refreshingly cold and crystal clear
Shanidar Cave
It is an archaeological site located on Bradost Mountain in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The remains of ten Neanderthals, dating from 35,000 to 65,000 years ago, have been found within the cave. The cave also contains two later "proto-Neolithic" cemeteries, one of which dates back about 10,600 years and contains 35 individuals.
Lalish
It contains the holiest temple in the Yezidi faith. The temple belongs to ancient times wherein many archaeologists and historians agree that the temple was a part of Sumerian and other ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, and from as early as the 25th century BC through to the 7th century AD the entire region of northern Iraq was an integral part of Assyria.Later it became the location of the tomb of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, who is a central figure of the Yazidi faith.
Rabban Hormizd Monastery
It is situated in the North of the Nineveh province, at the border of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan. Established in the 7th century, it is one of the most ancient Christian monasteries in Iraq. Carved out in the mountain range that lines antique Assyria and runs along the international borders of Iraq, Turkey and Iran, the monastery of Rabban Hormizd is the symbol of the unstable history of Christianity in Mesopotamia.