Celebrating 240 Years of Sulaymaniyah: A Historic Kurdish City of Culture & Resilience

Kurdistan 09:26 AM - 2024-11-14

Sulaymaniyah Province.

Today, 14th November, marks the 240th anniversary of the founding of the city of Sulaymaniyah.

Sulaymaniyah is situated in the Kurdistan Region, at an elevation of 2,895 feet above sea level.

The region is predominantly mountainous, with the terrain rising as you approach the eastern border with Iran. Around 140 km east of Kirkuk, and 60 km northwest of Sulaymaniyah, lies the Dukan Dam on the Zab River.

 

Ancient History

The modern city of Sulaymaniyah was established on 14th November 1784 by Kurdish Emir Ibrahim Pasha Baban, who named the city after his father, Suleiman Pasha, one of the Emirs of the Baban dynasty, which ruled over the Sulaymaniyah region at the time.

Following its founding, Sulaymaniyah became the capital of the Kurdish Emirate of Baban. The Baban Emirate’s capital was originally Qalachwalan, which is now part of Sulaymaniyah governorate. Qalachwalan had been a site of conflict during the Ottoman-Safavid wars, prompting Ibrahim Pasha Baban to begin constructing a new city in 1783 to serve as the capital of the Baban Emirate. By 1785, the construction of trade markets and the governor's palace was completed, leading to the settlement of people from surrounding villages. Sulaymaniyah remained the capital of the Baban Emirate until 1851.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Sulaymaniyah became a significant centre of Kurdish culture and political movements. It was from here that King Mahmud launched his revolt against British rule and declared the establishment of an independent Kurdish state, which the British later recognised.

 

Mountains and Plains Surrounding the City

Sulaymaniyah lies between latitudes 34–36 degrees and longitudes 45–46 degrees, around 355 km northeast of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. The city is encircled by a series of mountains, with Azmar and Goizha mountains to the northeast, and Baranan to the south. To the west lies the Sharazur plain. Mount Piramagrun, the highest peak in the region, is located to the northwest of the city. The area experiences cold winters with snowfall, and mild, temperate summers.

Sulaymaniyah is known for its fertile agricultural land, particularly the Sharazur and Betwen plains, which are among the most fertile in the Middle East. Historically, agriculture has been a cornerstone of the city’s economy, with wheat cultivation being particularly significant since 2003. Today, Sulaymaniyah’s economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and small local industries.

 

Tourist Attractions

Sulaymaniyah has grown into a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from across Iraq. The Ahmed Awa waterfalls, along with Dukan and Derbandikhan lakes, make the city a popular summer retreat.

The Sulaymaniyah Museum, the second-largest museum in Iraq, features a wealth of Kurdish and ancient Persian artefacts, some dating back to 1792–1750 BC.

Mount Azmar is another major tourist site, offering pleasant weather and stunning vistas. Tourists flock there in winter to witness the snowfall, while in the summer they enjoy the mild climate and breathtaking scenery.

The Amna Suraka Museum, a former prison during the rule of the Ba'ath regime, where many Kurds were tortured and killed, has become a symbol of the city’s history and resistance. Sulaymaniyah also has several other notable tourist spots.

The city is well-connected by both land and air. The Sulaymaniyah International Airport, situated in the western part of the city, offers daily flights to destinations across Iraq and internationally. The airport opened on 21st July 2006.

 

The Sulaymaniyah Dialect

Sulaymaniyah is a prominent centre for the Sorani-Kurdish dialect. The city has produced a number of famous writers and poets, including Nali, Mawlawi, Kurdi, Piramerd, Goran, Faiq Bekas, Sherko Bekas, and many others.

 

 

PUKMEDIA