The National Museum of Iraq, sometimes known as the Baghdad Museum, is one of the most important museums in the Middle East.
The National Museum of Iraq, sometimes known as the Baghdad Museum or simply the Iraq Museum, is one of the most important museums in the whole of the Middle East.
And visiting the National Museum of Iraq is a must on your trip to Iraq. Especially if you plan to visit Baghdad anyway!
It is located in the capital city of Baghdad and houses some of the world's oldest and most valuable Mesopotamian artefacts. The Baghdad Museum even once displayed the Code of Hammurabi - the world’s first legal codes created by King Hammurabi in the 18th century BCE in Babylon.
Read more about the Code of Hammurabi here.
That is... Until the famous stone stele was moved to the Louvre in Paris.
The museum first opened in 1926, around 100 years ago now. And its earliest collection was sinply a few shelves in a Baghdad school.
If you're interested in ancient civilisations, this is the place to go.
About Mesopotamia
Must-See in the National Museum of Iraq
National Museum of Iraq Looting Crisis
Visiting the Iraq National Museum
If you're a history lover, make sure to check out the Ancient City of Babylon whilst you're in Iraq and the famous Ishtar Gate.
Fun fact! The Ishtar Gate in Iraq is actually a replica. The real one stands in a museum in Berlin!
Fun fact! The Ishtar Gate in Iraq is actually a replica. The real one stands in a museum in Berlin!
Mesopotamia - Cradle of Civilisation
Mesopotamia
When reading about Iraq, you'll probably come across the term 'Mesopotamia' a lot.
What does it mean?
The term 'Mesopotamia' is of Greek origin and literally means the 'place between two rivers'. So, naturally, that's what it refers to. Mesopotamia is the historical region situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Now, it is primarily modern-day Iraq, along with parts of eastern Syria and southeastern Turkey.
The History of Mesopotamia
The museum tells the story of Mesopotamia, often called the Cradle of Civilisation.
This is where writing, the wheel, and the world's first cities began.
The collection spans thousands of years, from the Sumerians and Akkadians to the Assyrians and Babylonians.
Inside, you’ll find stunning statues, royal tombs, jewellery, clay tablets, and everyday objects from ancient times. Many artefacts come from famous sites like Ur, Nineveh, and the city of Babylon.
Interestingly enough, a surprising number of artefacts displayed here have been found not by archaeologists, but by farmers digging in their fields.
Must-See in the National Museum of Iraq
Some must-see pieces in the Baghdad Museum include the following:.
The Warka Vase, one of the oldest carved stone ritual vessels, dates back to 3,000 BCE.
The Lady of Warka, thought to be one of the earliest representations of the human face.
Dozens of cuneiform tablets, shows how ancient people wrote, counted, and told stories.
National Museum of Iraq Looting Crisis
The museum in Baghdad gained global attention during the 2003 Iraq War.
In the chaos, as often happens in such situations, sadly, looters stole around 15,000 items. Truly a heartbreaking loss for historians, archaeologists, and those appreciators of culture.
Since then, a massive international effort has helped recover thousands of pieces.
Many have now been returned and are back on display for you to see!
Visiting the Iraq National Museum
After years of closure, the Iraq Museum reopened to the public in 2015.
Security is tight, but the collection is growing again. It can take quite a while to walk around it all.
As well as regular displays, there are new exhibitions and recovered artefacts.
Make sure to check the opening dates and times when you visit to avoid disappointment. Don't lose out on visiting the National Museum of Iraq as some of the days it is only open for a few hours. Check beforehand and give yourself at least a couple of hours to explore!
Photos Credit: Wikipedia
Koryo Tours
Iraq Tours
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