Al-Nouri Mosque
In 2014, Daesh hoisted its flag at the top of Al-Nouri Mosque, and the group’s leader proclaimed a ‘new caliphate’ from its prayer hall. During the group’s retreat in 2017, it detonated a series of explosives inside the building.
Restoring Al-Nouri mosque to its rightful place as the main mosque of Mosul is not only an architectural challenge—it is a symbolic act of revival.
In coordination with the Government of Iraq, local partners and international experts, the preparatory phase began in autumn 2018. First steps included demining the damaged site and removing hazardous materials. The rubble was then sifted to identify and preserve valuable fragments that could be reused for reconstruction. Salvaged structural elements were restored by Iraq’s Board of Antiquities and Heritage.
On-site experts conducted structural assessments and documented their findings to plan for reconstruction and restoration. In parallel, the site was stabilized in preparation for the active reconstruction phase.
A 2020 survey showed that 70% of Moslawis wished to see Al-Nouri prayer hall rebuilt as it was before, but with some improvements. The people expected the essential features and main volumes of the structure to be preserved.
UNESCO launched an international competition to select a design for the mosque. The winners, an Egyptian team, finalized the detailed design in May 2022, in close collaboration with the University of Mosul and following consultation with local experts. It was presented to the Mosul community at a public event in June 2022.
Al-Nouri Mosque was left completely destroyed after the conflict.
The site was cleared of mines and rubble.
Work was carried out to stabilize the mosque.
Summer 2022:
The active reconstruction phase began.
Work began to rebuild the prayer hall.
The dome was rebuilt.
The walls and roof of the prayer hall were rebuilt.
A wonderful archaeological discovery
During the preparatory work undertaken by UNESCO, an exceptional archaeological discovery was made: four rooms, probably used for ablutions, dating from the 12th century.
The rooms were discovered after excavation work began near the prayer hall in August 2021. Workers uncovered the original floor of the mosque, which had been reconstructed in the 1940s. They noticed gaps underneath, which led them to a room that was almost completely buried.
Forty workers and archaeologists from the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage participated in the excavation. The dating of the rooms was possible due to the discovery of coins from the Atabeg era. Other artifacts were also discovered, including jars and pieces of pottery and carved stone.
This remarkable archaeological find was integrated into the reconstruction design of Al-Nouri mosque. The State Board of Antiquities and Heritage is working with UNESCO to ensure that it is renovated and preserved as a museum where people can learn about the mosque’s history.
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