Nineveh

The ruins of Nineveh are 15 km northeast of Mosul, east of the Tigris River. Nineveh was the third capital of Assyria dating from the reign of Sennacherib (704-681 BC). It was one of the most powerful cities of the Middle East, the hub of the civilized ancient world. When it was sacked by the Medes of Northern Persia in 612 BC the city started declining and nowadays there is nothing left but ruins.

Originally the walls of Nineveh were 12 km in circumference and included fifteen gates, each of which was named after an Assyrian god. Some of these gates have been reconstructed, notably the Shamash and Nergal gates and give a good idea of what the city must have looked like in its heyday.

The French started excavations in the area and the work was later continued by the British. Interesting ruins are the colossal palace, the library, statuary and a prehistoric pottery. The small museum at the Nergal gate displays some Assyrian relief carvings.

The best way to visit Nineveh is on a day trip from Mosul. The ruins are 365 km north of Baghdad.