Iraqi Kurdistan is full of historical symbols and monuments. Each with its historical event behind it. Some tell us about a historic battle, while others symbolize a historic victory or a historic resistance of The Kurds against invaders.
Each of these monuments is located in a different part of Kurdistan, which proves the fact that Kurds were always under attack by their enemies wherever they settled.
The historical symbols and monuments in Kurdistan have hundreds of untold stories that emphasize the bloody history of the Kurds. Some of them date back thousands of years. These symbols have be come places of artistic and cultural activities as well as places of national events.
Kurdistan is a region rich in history and culture, with a long and complex past that has left behind a wealth of historical symbols and monuments. From ancient ruins to medieval castles and modern memorials, these landmarks serve as reminders of the region’s past and reflect the diverse influences that have shaped its identity. These monuments have attracted hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists.
Here are just a few examples of historical symbols and monuments in Kurdistan:
The monument of Barda Qaraman
Barda Qaraman means Heroic rock in the English language. This is a big rock a piece of mountain located on Sulaimani-Kirkuk Road, in the Canyon of Bazian. The rock is an ancient site which once witnessed one of the most important battles in the history of Kurds.
Today a small town which is very close to the site is named after the rock.
The story behind the rock dates back to July 19, 1919. When the battle between soldiers of the Kingdom of Kurdistan and the British army took place there.
The Kurdish soldiers led by King Sheikh Mahmud Barznji, who is one of the most prominent leaders of the Kurds, bravely resisted the Britons who sought to overrun the newly-formed Kurdish kingdom. King Mahmud alongside with his soldiers fought back until He was heavily injured. Then He hid under that rock. Later one of his soldiers betrayed him and revealed his place to the Britons. Following that event, King Mahmud was captured and later put into exile in India and the Kurdish kingdom was overrun. Since that battle, Rock is seen as a symbol of resistance in Kurdish history.
Keleshin
So Keleshin Means blue headstone in English. And it’s a blue rock Art and stele on which important Assyrian-Vannic bilingual texts have been written.
The stele is located in Keleshin village in Northern Erbil. The Keleshin stele bears many historical events. And there are Sumerian inscriptions on the stele that describe their victories over their enemies. The history of the stele dates back to c 800 B.C.
The stele which is located on the Iraqi-Iranian borders, was taken to the Urmia Museum during the Iraq-Iran war and is preserved there. A replica nail is now in a museum in Syedkan.
Sherwana Castle
Sherwana Castle is located in the South-East of Kalar, Garmian. Muhammad Pasha Jaff built the castle in 1866 to strengthen his power in the region and defend his chiefdom. The castle has a secret underground tunnel from the castle to the Sirwan River. The tunnel was used to bring water to the castle during war and sieges.
Muhammad Pasha Jaff was born in 1814, He was the tribal chief of the Jaff tribe. The building consists of three floors. The surface area of the castle is around 400 meters square. It had been renovated three times (in 1925, 1988, and 1998). The castle symbolizes Kurdish power and architecture. Although the castle is in good condition now it was hard hit during 2017’s earthquake.
Badinan gate
The Badinan gate is located in the city of Amedi, in Duhok province. The city of Amedi was conquered by the Arabs. And later in the 7th century, A Kurdish pasha began to be the ruler of Amedi. During the Bahdinan Emirate, Amedi became known as a place where Muslims, Christians, and Jews could live side by side in peace.
The gate has many different carvings symbolising something of significance. The arch bears the symbol of the sun, a symbol often seen in Kurdish architecture and historical records, enclosed by a cord with four knots. Although historians associate the sun with Kurdish Yazidis, mentioned in the book ‘Avesta,’.
However, the exact accurate history of the Bahdinan Gate is still unknown. But some history shows that the gate was built during Badinan Emirate.Besides being an important touristic attraction for those who foreign and domestic tourists. Badhinan Gate is used by the locals as a passage to get to the farms and gardens located at the bottom of the gate.
Zoroastrian Fire Temple
This ancient temple, located in the district of Darbandikhan in Kurdistan, is believed to date back to the 12th century and is still used for religious ceremonies by the local Zoroastrian community. The temple is carved into the side of a mountain and features intricate carvings and inscriptions.
Shanadar Cave
Shanadar Cave is an archaeological site located in Barzan area in Erbil province. It was discovered in 1939 and is believed to be one of the oldest sites of human habitation in the world. The site is thought to have been occupied by prehistoric humans over the course of thousands of years and has produced a wealth of evidence for the study of human evolution and behavior.
It is a large, deep cave that was formed by natural erosion. The walls of the cave are covered with many ancient paintings, including some of the earliest known depictions of humans. These paintings are thought to be up to 12,000 years old and provide insight into the lives of the ancient people who created them.
Finally, These are just a few examples of the many historical symbols and monuments that can be found throughout Kurdistan. Each one tells a unique story and reflects the rich and diverse history of the region. Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in exploring the cultural heritage of Kurdistan. These landmarks are definitely worth a visit.
