Great Mosque of Samarra

Samarra, Saladin Governorate, Iraq

Once the largest mosque in the world, covering 42 acres. Built by Caliph al-Mutawakkil, it featured the iconic Malwiya spiral minaret that remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Islamic architecture.

Historical Context

Caliph al-Mutawakkil (r. 847–861 CE) was one of the most prolific builders in Abbasid history. The mosque's hypostyle plan with 464 columns was designed to hold tens of thousands of worshippers. The Malwiya minaret, with its distinctive spiral ramp, may have been inspired by Mesopotamian ziggurats.