| Registration Classification | 文化遺産 |
| Registration Criteria | (4) |
| Year of registration | 2014年 |
The Citadel of Erbil （Arbil） is a fortress located in the city of Erbil in northern Iraq. Built in the 19th century on top of an egg-shaped hill , the fortress walls are truly impregnable. And it is believed that this hill was once the ancient Arbela, the central city of the Assyrian period.
Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains in simple terms why the Citadel of Erbil is a World Heritage Site.Read this and you will definitely learn more about the Citadel of Erbil!
What is the Citadel of Erbil(Arbil)?
Erbil is the capital of the province of Erbil.It is also a city with a history so old that it has been inhabited since the Sumerian period. The symbol of the city is the impregnable fortress that remains on top of the hill.The walls were built during the late Ottoman Empire in the 19th century, and the urban structure of the castle can still be seen today.
It was both a fortress and an ancient settlement. Erbil is believed to have been the political and religious center of Assyria (circa 20th century B.C. to 7th century B.C.), and research has confirmed that there was an old settlement on an egg-shaped hill.
For what reason is the Citadel of Erbil(Arbil) on the World Heritage List?
The citadel of Erbilr was evaluated on the following points.
Registration Criterion (iv)
The point is that the remaining fortifications in the city are a collection of archaeological remains, ranging from ancient settlements to the current Ottoman fortifications.
World Heritage Mania Conclusions and Comments
After all, the egg-shaped citadel is cool and romantic in form itself, but the fact that it was established by the accumulation of cities and facilities of various rulers from ancient times to the present is what this heritage is valued for.
Incidentally, Erbil is much safer than Baghdad, and the economy is growing considerably, thanks in part to the benefits of oil field development. Unlike the image of “Iraq” seen on TV, many skyscrapers have been built and the city is called “the second Dubai. Erbil is a mysterious city with a mixture of World Heritage sites and skyscrapers.
*The content here is a discussion derived from research conducted by a World Heritage enthusiast. As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.
