Hatra
A fortified caravan city where monumental temples combine Parthian, Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman architectural traditions.
Photo: Husseinal-mauktar · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Country
- Iraq
- Region
- Nineveh Governorate
- Civilisation
- Parthian
- Period
- 2nd century BCE–3rd century CE
- UNESCO
- World Heritage ↗
Through time
The story
Hatra was an ancient city in Upper Mesopotamia located in present-day eastern Nineveh Governorate in northern Iraq. The ruins of the city lie 290 km (180 mi) northwest of Baghdad and 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Mosul. It was a strongly fortified caravan city and capital of the Arab Kingdom of Hatra, located between the Roman and Parthian/Sasanian Empires.
Hatra flourished in the 2nd century AD, and was destroyed by the Sassanid Empire and deserted in the 3rd century AD alongside other Neo-Assyrian populated states such as Assur, Adiabene, Osroene and Beth Nuhadra. Its ruins were discovered in the 19th century. It is considered the richest archaeological site from the Parthian Empire known to date.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Great Temple
- City walls
- Temple façades
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Hatra
No discoveries yet. Be the first to share a photo from here.
