Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat) آشور
The first capital and religious centre of Assyria, on a cliff above the Tigris. Listed by UNESCO in 2003.
Ashur was the city of the god Ashur and gave its name to Assyria. For centuries it was the empire’s religious capital and the place where Assyrian kings were crowned and buried, even after the political capital moved to Nimrud and Nineveh.
The ruins at Qal’at Sherqat stand on a cliff above the Tigris, with the remains of temples, palaces, a ziggurat and city walls. Ashur was listed by UNESCO in 2003. It is about 100 km south of Mosul and combines well with Hatra.
Visit with our tour: Hatra & Ashur Historical Tour →
Questions & answers
Where is Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat)?
Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat) is in Mosul, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. The map on this page shows its location.
How can I visit Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat)?
Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat) is included in our Hatra & Ashur Historical Tour tour (1 day). You can book it on WhatsApp, and we arrange the guide, transport and any permissions.
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More sites in Mosul
Great Mosque of al-Nuri & al-Hadba
Mosul’s 12th-century mosque and leaning al-Hadba minaret, rebuilt after 2017.
Prophet Yunus (Jonah) Hill
The hill of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) in east Mosul, above an Assyrian royal palace.
Nineveh walls & Mashki Gate
The walls and gates of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, on the east bank of the Tigris.
Nimrud
Kalhu, the palace city of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II, south-east of Mosul.
Hatra
A round, fortified desert city of the 2nd century AD, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mosul Museum
Mosul’s museum of Assyrian and Hatrene sculpture, being restored after 2015.
Our Lady of the Hour Church
The 19th-century Dominican church of Our Lady of the Hour in Mosul’s old city, known for its clock tower.
Bash Tapia Castle
The remains of Mosul’s medieval castle on the bank of the Tigris.
Mar Behnam Monastery
A Syriac Christian monastery south-east of Mosul, famous for its medieval carved stonework.
Lalish Temple
The holiest place of the Yazidi faith, in a valley north-east of Mosul.