UNESCO - Hatra, Iraq

I have received this postcard a few months before the news reported about a horrific destruction of this treasured place...It is just devastating how history can disappear right before our eyes, and for what...:(( Thank you Hasanain for this card, I truly appreciate it, and hope for better years to come, here there, everywhere.

A large fortified city under the influence of the Parthian Empire and capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Hatra withstood invasions by the Romans in A.D. 116 and 198 thanks to its high, thick walls reinforced by towers. The remains of the city, especially the temples where Hellenistic and Roman architecture blend with Eastern decorative features, attest to the greatness of its civilization.

Iraqi Woman On A Camel

Beautiful Iraqi lady wearing traditional clothes, in front of Taq-i Kisra - the only visible remaining structure of the ancient city of Ctesiphon,  the imperial capital of the Parthian Empire and the Sasanian Empire and one of the great cities of late ancient Mesopotamia.

As last time the postcard was literally covered with cancellations! Many thanks to Hasnain :)

 

UNESCO - Samarra Archaeological City, Iraq

Samarra is a city in Iraq situated 130km north of Baghdad, and is famous for its vast archaeological site of the former Islamic capital - the minaret of the Great Mosque on this postcard is its best-known feature. Looks fantastic!

As does the back of the postcard with no less than three different cancellations of two consecutive dates. Also a great stamp with landmarks map. Love everything, thanks so much Ahmed!

 

Erbil Citadel, Iraq

Erbil or Hewlêr is the fourth largest city in Iraq and the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Erbil Citadel Town, which is situated dramatically on top of an artificial, 32-meters high earthen mound, and visually dominating the expansive modern city of Erbil, is believed to have been in continuous existence for 7000 years or even more. Thus, it may be regarded as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the world. The site is on Unesco's WHS tentative list.

Stamps used are of Iraqi Kurdistan's postal system, which have been issued since 1992. I have found many different infos and facts about this...but its not consistent, so I better save it for some later date. Thank you very much Oliver :))