((An Artistic Study of the Buildings of the Citadel Neighborhood in City of Mosul, 921-1250 AH / 1515-1834 AD))

Abstract

The study of residential areas in the old city of Mosul is one of the most prominent technical, archaeological and planning studies, as it includes many administrative, defensive, military, religious, educational, residential and service buildings. The oldest residential areas were established there, including the Citadel neighborhood, which is truly one of the oldest and most prominent neighborhoods in the city of Mosul, as it occupies a geographical location and a cultural heritage rich with many architectural, artistic and planning landmarks, including many castles, walls, mosques, mosques, schools, churches, palaces, residences, markets, inns and baths that are still visible to the present time. It is located between three main old neighborhoods, namely, Al-Shifa neighborhood to the north, Al-Shahwan neighborhood to the east, and Al-Khatuniya neighborhood to the west, which represents the main axis on which the planning of the old city was established after the expansion of the Islamic conquests eastward towards Iraq, where the city of Mosul was liberated in the year (16 AH / 637 AD). The Muslims began to fortify the city of Mosul and strengthen its military defenses, so they built and reinforced its wall. The huge towers and castles known as Bash Tabia Castle were built on the bank of the Tigris River in the northeastern part of the old city of Mosul. From here, the neighborhood took its name, the Citadel neighborhood, after the construction of Bash Tabia Castle, which is considered one of the most prominent archaeological and architectural remains in the city of Mosul. The Citadel neighborhood witnessed an expansion in its area and development in its planning methods, the construction of its buildings, the arts of its decoration and architecture. The Citadel neighborhood was formed at the northern triangle as an advanced model of the old neighborhood, containing centers of government, leadership, shopping and settlement, in addition to what it contained of religious, educational, service and health buildings. Thus, the borders of the neighborhood expanded with the course of the Tigris River from the northeast to the southeast, representing the first nucleus for the emergence and formation of the old city, on the ruins of whose moat and wall the old Citadel neighborhood was built, which received great attention from scholars and those interested in Mosul’s civilization and its artistic and architectural heritage.