Erbil Citadel: A UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Heart of Kurdish History

The Erbil Citadel, a tell or occupied mound in the centre of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

Rising some 25 to 32 metres above the surrounding city, the citadel has been inhabited for thousands of years and forms the historic core of Erbil. Its radial urban fabric, traditional courtyard houses and perimeter wall reflect successive civilisations that shaped Kurdish and Mesopotamian history.

The site stands as a symbol of Kurdish heritage and identity, and its inscription recognised the outstanding universal value of one of the region's most important cultural monuments. (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)