Hatra


World Heritage Identification Number: 277

World Heritage since: 1985

Category: Cultural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: Yes

Country: 🇮🇶 Iraq

Continent: Asia

UNESCO World Region: Arab States

Map

Hatra: An Ancient City of the Parthian Empire

Hatra, officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, is an essential archaeological site that offers insights into the rich history and culture of the Parthian Empire. Situated in present-day eastern Nineveh Governorate in northern Iraq, approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) northwest of Baghdad and 110 kilometers (68 miles) southwest of Mosul, Hatra stands as one of the most significant archaeological sites from this ancient empire known to date.

More to come…

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

A large fortified city under the influence of the Parthian Empire and capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Hatra withstood invasions by the Romans in A.D. 116 and 198 thanks to its high, thick walls reinforced by towers. The remains of the city, especially the temples where Hellenistic and Roman architecture blend with Eastern decorative features, attest to the greatness of its civilization.

Encyclopedia Record: Hatra

Hatra was an ancient Arab city in Upper Mesopotamia located in present-day eastern Nineveh Governorate in northern Iraq. The ruins of the city lie 290 km (180 mi) northwest of Baghdad and 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Mosul. It is considered the richest archaeological site from the Parthian Empire known to date.

Read more on Wikipedia

Additional Site Details

Area: 323.75 hectares

UNESCO Criteria: (ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(vi) — Directly associated with events or living traditions

Coordinates: 35.58806 , 42.71833

Image

Image of Hatra

© en:User:Victrav, Copyrighted free use Resized from original.

About World Heritage Explorer

World Heritage Explorer is an independent educational project designed to uncover and share the richness of our world’s cultural and natural heritage. Dive into detailed site profiles, immersive imagery, interactive maps, and tools that help you explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe. Drawing extensively on open data sources, the project delivers authoritative, well-structured information for learners, educators, travelers, and younger explorers alike.

Learn more

Nearby World Heritage Sites

Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)
51 km — Iraq
Erbil Citadel
134 km — Iraq
Samarra Archaeological City
171 km — Iraq
Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape
339 km — Türkiye
Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat
345 km — Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Country Information: Iraq

Flag of Iraq

Official Name: Republic of Iraq

Capital: Baghdad

Continent: Asia

Population (2024): 46,042,015

Population (2023): 45,074,049

Population (2022): 44,070,551

Land Area: 434,130 sq km

Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD)

Country Data Sources

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Portions of the page Hatra are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Hatra, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

Open Data for an Open World