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Virtual Tour of Erbil Citadel: Journey Through History

Introduction: why a virtual tour?

Perched atop a prominent tell in the heart of modern-day Erbil, in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, the Erbil Citadel is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world, with nearly 6.000 years of uninterrupted occupation.

Historically known as Urbilum, Arba-il, or Arbela, the citadel is one of the most important urban centers in the history of Mesopotamia. Thanks to its strategic location at the crossroads of major ancient Near Eastern civilizations, it quickly emerged as a major urban center (Van de Mieroop 1999). Alongside cities like Nineveh, Ashur, and Khorsabad, Erbil reached its peak during the Neo-Assyrian period (10th–7th centuries BCE), serving as a religious capital – center of the cult of Ištar of Arbela – and a royal residence (MacGinnis 2014; Nevling Porter 2004). The symbolic, political, and religious importance of the citadel has endured through the centuries, making it a key site in the region’s historical landscape (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. The northern façade of the Erbil Citadel, standing atop the ancient tell of the city of Erbil. © French Archaeological Mission in Erbil, Photo: G. Mouamar.

Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the citadel is the focus of large-scale restoration and documentation programs. In 2007, as part of a major conservation initiative, the last residents were relocated and most houses were emptied to allow for archaeological work and structural rehabilitation. Since then, access to the site has remained limited, both for researchers and for the general public, due to ongoing restoration and safety concerns. This project is the result of a close collaboration between the Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture (KCAS) and the French Archaeological Mission in Erbil (MAFE). It shows a shared commitment to combining scientific research with heritage outreach, using digital tools to enhance the understanding and dissemination of Erbil’s urban history.

In June 2024, a series of meetings between members of both teams, held at the French Institute for the Near East (Ifpo) in Erbil and the French Institute in Erbil (IFE), sparked the idea for a collaborative project that merges archaeological expertise, cultural mediation, and technological innovation. This initiative demonstrates a common interest in promoting the Erbil Citadel not only as a major archaeological site but also as a living memory site for local communities. The virtual tour brings together scholarly and heritage perspectives, engaging both local and international audiences.

Project framework: partnerships and collaborations

The virtual tour project of the Erbil Citadel is part of a broader scientific, institutional, and technological collaboration that brings together several partners with complementary areas of expertise:

The Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture (KCAC), founded in 2023, is a cultural organization based in Erbil. KCAC is dedicated to building the long-term cultural infrastructure necessary to preserve, activate, and expand Kurdish arts and identity. Through archives, education, research, and public programming, KCAC serves as an institutional home for Kurdish cultural knowledge ensuring that memory is not simply safeguarded, but made alive, accessible, and continually evolving.

The French Archaeological Mission of Erbil (MAFE), was established in October 2023 at the initiative of Georges Mouamar (researcher at CNRS, Archéorient UMR 5133 ; IFPO), in close collaboration with the High Commission for the Erbil Citadel Revitalization (HCECR) and the General Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The mission’s primary objective is the archaeological investigation of the Erbil Citadel and its surrounding lower town. MAFE’s work focuses on analyzing the urban fabric, architectural remains, and historical stratigraphy of the site, aiming to reconstruct the city’s long-term occupation and transformations over time.

Iconem, a French heritage-tech startup founded in 2013, specializes in the large-scale digitization of endangered or significant cultural heritage sites across the globe. Its mission is to raise awareness and contribute to the preservation of our shared heritage through the creation of high-resolution 3D models and immersive digital experiences. As of 2024, Iconem has documented over 350 sites in more than 40 countries, including iconic locations such as Aleppo, Palmyra, Venice, and Timbuktu.

The High Commission for the Erbil Citadel Revitalization (HCECR) is the official body responsible for the conservation, restoration, and revitalization of the Erbil Citadel. Established to oversee the long-term preservation and sustainable development of this unique heritage site, HCECR plays a central role in coordinating restoration efforts, managing archaeological research, and ensuring the site’s integration into the cultural and urban life of modern Erbil (Al Yaqoobi et al. 2016).

The overall funding of the project relies on institutional support currently being structured, as well as in-kind and human contributions from the involved partners. The first phase of the project, which is currently underway, is fully funded by the Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture (KCAC).

Virtual tour design: 3D modeling of the Erbil citadel

This project aims to create an immersive and educational experience, combining 3D modeling, interactive tours, and contextualized historical content. It is intended for both the general public and researchers, fostering a spirit of sharing and heritage transmission.

A detailed 3D model of the Erbil Citadel and its lower town has recently been completed (Fig. 2). This essential phase, carried out by the French company Iconem, forms the technological foundation of the immersive experience. The digital model accurately reproduces the architectural features of the site, revealing the complexity of its urban fabric and the richness of its historical buildings, notably the ancient houses and emblematic monuments.

Fig. 2. Digital Surface Model (DSM) of the Erbil Citadel, showing the elevation and topography of the site. © Iconem, KCAC, MAFE.

To produce this high-definition digital twin, Iconem used advanced photogrammetric surveys (Figs. 3 and 4). This method enables the creation of accurate and extremely detailed representations, used for both scientific documentation and heritage promotion. Once the modeling is complete, the data is integrated into an interactive online database that is openly accessible, thus facilitating its reuse for research, analysis, or educational purposes (Fig. 5). These contents can then be deployed in various formats: touch screens, augmented reality devices, large-scale prints with QR codes linking to immersive 360° videos or 3D visualizations.

Fig. 3. Aerial drone photograph taken by Iconem of a traditional house in the Saray quarter of the Erbil Citadel. © KCAC, Iconem, MAFE.
Fig. 4. Aerial drone photograph taken by Iconem showing the northern part of the Erbil Citadel and the lower town, viewed from east to west. © KCAC, Iconem, MAFE.
Fig. 5. Height-Colored Footprint Map of the Erbil Citadel. © Iconem, KCAC, MAFE.

Thanks to high-resolution 360° imagery, the virtual tour will immerse users in the heart of the Erbil Citadel, allowing them to explore its narrow alleys, traditional mud-brick houses, and iconic landmarks such as the historic hammam, the grand mosque, and the archaeological excavation areas. Every corner of the citadel bears witness to millennia of daily life. The virtual tour goes beyond a simple visual exploration; it also offers an educational and scientific dimension, featuring interactive tools that highlight archaeological discoveries, the architectural evolution of the site, and the cultural diversity that has shaped Erbil’s identity through the ages.

Beyond the cultural outreach, this project actively contributes to the digital preservation of the Erbil Citadel. It serves as a dynamic archive, designed to be expanded and passed on, ensuring that future generations can continue to discover and understand this exceptional heritage.

Visual archives: a bridge between past and present

A unique aspect of this project is the integration of historical photographic archives. The archival photographs and documents necessary for reconstructing the Citadel’s past are actively being sourced by the Archive Department of the Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture (KCAC). These archives give depth to the experience of the Erbil Citadel, inviting us into the homes of residents and illustrating the patterns of daily life.

Since the Center’s establishment in 2023, the KCAC Archive has made nearly 4.000 Kurdish archival items digitally available, reaching over 40.000 users worldwide. This comprehensive digital collection covers books, manuscripts, photographs, periodicals, and historical documents from diverse collections throughout Kurdistan. Using advanced technologies, the KCAC Archive provides an indispensable research tool for scholars and enthusiasts of Kurdish history, literature and culture.

Through our rich network of collectors, we have access to thousands of photographs and documents chronicling Erbil’s past. These archival images provide a visual journey through time, showing how the citadel has evolved and adapted through the years (Figs. 6 and 7). By incorporating these historical photographs, viewers can compare the citadel’s past and present, gaining a richer understanding of its historical significance and the efforts made to conserve it. This approach reinforces the citadel’s importance as a cultural and historical landmark, capturing its transformations and protecting its memory for future generations.

Fig. 6.  A wedding celebration at Erbil Citadel. Captured by ‘Erif Xidr, 1961. Source: KCAC Archive.
Fig. 7. Below the Erbil Citadel sits a modern street, lined with cars and shops. Captured by ‘Erif Xidr, 1962. Source: KCAC Archive.
Archaeological contributions: scientific reading of the site 

The involvement of the French Archaeological Mission in Erbil (MAFE) provides significant scientific value to the project. The mission’s team will contribute their extensive research and analysis of both historical and archaeological data related to the citadel. Their expertise offers deeper insight into the architectural evolution of key buildings and monuments, while also shedding light on the structures and material culture of the lower town. By integrating these findings, the virtual tour is enriched with rigorously verified content, enhancing its authenticity and pedagogical depth. This collaboration ensures a more accurate and comprehensive exploration of Erbil’s long and layered history.

Conclusion

This virtual tour project of the Erbil Citadel fully illustrates the potential of digital tools in present-day  archaeology. At the intersection of heritage, scientific research, and technological innovation, it offers broad access to one of the Near East’s most significant historical sites, while ensuring scholarly accuracy and promoting the latest archaeological knowledge. By combining 3D modeling, historical archives, and field data, this initiative paves the way for new forms of cultural mediation, serving both the transmission and the long-term preservation of heritage for future generations.

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the individuals and institutions involved in the realization of this project, as well as to the local authorities who granted all the necessary authorizations to ensure its successful implementation.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes in particular to the members of the Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture (KCAC), the French Archaeological Mission of Erbil (MAFE), the Institut français du Proche-Orient (Ifpo), and the Institut français in Erbil (IFE). We also warmly thank the Iconem team, who recently completed the first phase of this project (notably Marjorie Coulin, Lynn Jabri, Ayar Rasool and Bachaar Tarabay). Special thanks are due to the HCECR team for their active collaboration and for providing the infrastructure required to carry out this project.
Finally, we express our deep appreciation to the General Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage of the Kurdistan Region, as well as the Directorate of Antiquities of Erbil, for their invaluable support and cooperation throughout the course of this work.

Bibliographie

Al Yaqoobi, D., Korsheed Khader, A., Mohammed, S., Hassan Hussein, S., Shepperson, M., MacGinnis, J. 2016. Archaeological investigations on the Citadel of Erbil: Background, Framework and Results, in : K. Kopanias, J. MacGinnis (éds), The Archaeology of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Adjacent Region, Oxford, 1–10.

MacGinnis, J. D. A. 2014. A City from the Dawn of History. Oxford: Oxbow.

Georges Mouamar (30 mai 2025). Une nouvelle mission archéologique française à Erbil : coopération, patrimoine et enjeux scientifiques. ArchéOrient – Le Blog. https://doi.org/10.58079/1416a

Nevling Porter, B. 2004. Ishtar of Nineveh and her collaborator, Ishtar of Arbela, in the reign of Assurbanipal, Iraq 66, 41–44.

Van de Mieroop M. 1999. The Ancient Mesopotamian City, Oxford, University Press.

The Authors

Georges Mouamar is a research fellow at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and an associate researcher at Ifpo. He is an archaeologist specializing in the Bronze Age Near East and ceramic studies. He is a member of UMR 5133 – Archéorient, based at the Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée in Lyon.

Marina Wondrich is the director of research and development at the Kurdistan Center for Arts and Culture (KCAC), where she contributes to the coordination of collaborative projects. With a background in archaeology and cultural heritage administration, she works to increase outreach, develop programs, and build international partnerships at KCAC.

Hezha Zayer Mohammed is the head of the archaeological service of the Erbil citadel at the High Commission for the Erbil Citadel Revitalization (HCECR) and a member of the French Archaeological Mission in Erbil (MAFE).

Yves Ubelmann is co-founder and chief executive officer of Iconem, a company specializing in the digitization and preservation of cultural heritage worldwide.


OpenEdition vous propose de citer ce billet de la manière suivante :
Georges Mouamar, Marina Wondrich, Hezha Zayer Mohammed et Yves Ubelmann (27 juin 2025). Virtual Tour of Erbil Citadel: Journey Through History. ArchéOrient - Le Blog. Consulté le 14 décembre 2025 à l’adresse https://doi.org/10.58079/1487i


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