UAE funds largest cultural restoration project in history of Iraq
The restoration of Iraq's cultural heritage has been given a huge boost following a US$50.4m (€41.7m, £36.7m) donation from the United Arab Emirates to restore damaged heritage sites in Mosul.
Following years of turmoil in the Middle East, a 2017 military campaign succeeded in ridding Iraq of ISIS, with the terrorist group left controlling no territory in the country.
Though still a very tumultuous region, a decrease in violence in between regular cycles of warfare over a decade has led to a period of recovery for the country.
The city of Mosul, which was devastated under ISIS's control before being liberated in July 2017, has received the financial aid. As part of an agreement between Unesco and the governments of the UAE and Iraq, it will be used for what has been called largest cultural restoration project in Iraq's history.
Over the course of the next five years, one of the project's main objectives will be to restore Mosul's Al Nuri Grand Mosque, an iconic part of the city built in 1172 and even featured on Iraq's 10,000 dinar note. The mosque, which was blown up by ISIS, will be completely restored to its former glory, including its 145-foot-tall (44.2m) minaret tower.
“The UAE supports the efforts of our Iraqi brothers in developments, stability and pushing the wheels of reconstruction especially for cultural and historic sites," said Noura Al Kaabi, minister of culture for the UAE. "Heritage is one of the cornerstones of civilisation and as part of this, the image of Al Nuri Mosque will again become synonymous with hope and cultural revival".
Construction will take some time, according to authorities, with the first year of the project dedicated to clearing rubble from the site of the mosque and minaret, and to completing architectural studies. Further sites in Mosul are also on the redevelopment agenda, including ancient gardens, a memorial site and a museum.
Iraq cultural heritage United Arab Emirates Mosul Al Nuri Grand Mosque UAE heritageUnesco welcomes liberation of Mosul Museum and plans to safeguard site
Saddam Hussein's former palace opens as antiquities museum
Former palace of Saddam Hussein opening as Iraq culture hub later this year
Daniel Libeskind unveils secret seven-year design plans for Kurdistan Museum
British Museum to teach Iraqi trainees heritage protection skills
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
From climate change to resource scarcity, Exploration Architecture uses biomimicry to address some of the world’s major challenges. Its founder tells us how