Historic Church · Iraq

Al-Tahera Syriac Catholic Church, Mosul

Mosul, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Christian HeritageHistoric ChurchMarian DevotionPost-ISIS RestorationSyriac CatholicUNESCO RestorationChristian Iraq: Chaldean, Syriac & Rebuilt collectionRestored Syriac Catholic church handed back to the Christian community; regular public liturgical access not independently verified

Why pilgrims come

A sacred place worth the journey.

A nineteenth-century Syriac Catholic church in Mosul’s Old City, devastated after ISIS occupation and battle. UNESCO completed its restoration and returned it to the Christian community in September 2024, making it a powerful marker of architectural recovery amid continuing demographic loss.

TraditionCatholic

The pilgrim’s guide

What makes this visit meaningful

Study how painstaking restoration can recover a sacred building without automatically restoring the displaced congregation that once filled it.

An Old City church

Place the 1862 church within Mosul’s historic Christian and multi-faith urban fabric.

Restored and returned

Follow UNESCO’s recovery from demining and stabilization to the 2024 handover.

A building before a population

Ask what restoration means when much of the former Christian community remains displaced.

Continue nearby

More sacred stops for this journey

Historic ChurchOur Lady of the Hour Dominican Church, MosulMosul, Iraq Historic ChurchSt. Mary Al-Tahira Church, QaraqoshQaraqosh (Baghdede), Iraq

Plan the pilgrimage

45–60 minutes only within a competent authorized plan

Opening hours

The church has been restored and handed back, but ordinary visitor hours and liturgical use must be confirmed locally.

Getting there

In Mosul’s Old City near Hosh al-Bieaa. Nineveh Province is currently under advice against all travel; do not use this map as independent navigation.

Accessibility

Ask local custodians about current street access, security, surfaces, and step-free entry.

Before you go

Current advice warns against all travel to Nineveh Province. Restoration does not equal safe tourism; verify security, unexploded-ordnance guidance, permissions, and insurance.

Official visitor information ↗Schedules and access can change. Confirm on the official site shortly before your visit.

Mass & worship

Check before you travel

Mass times have not yet been independently verified for this destination. Always confirm with the church or shrine before traveling.

Sources & confidence

1 catalog source

UNESCO ↗No verification date is listed; confirm current details with the destination.