It's true that traveling and learning about new customs and cultures opens our minds and allows us to learn more about the way of life and the perspectives of the people who occupied other territories before us. However, that same beauty is sometimes destroyed by humankind itself. Ironic, isn't it? Precisely for this reason, taking advantage of today being Epiphany, we wanted to commemorate some of the impressive Middle Eastern sculptures that were destroyed due to war. Will you stay with us to discover them?
Great Mosque of Samarra
Located north of Baghdad (Iraq) and overlooking the Tigris, the Great Mosque of Samarra was built entirely of brick in the 9th century. It is known for its minaret (the name used to designate the towers of Muslim mosques) with spiral ramps 52 meters high. Via these ramps, worshippers could climb to the top of this tower. Unfortunately, in 2005, the top of the minaret and the bricks of the spiral were damaged by a bomb.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan
The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two monuments carved in the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan), representing the figure of Buddha. Considered the most impressive legacy of Buddhism, one measured 53 meters and the other 35 meters. Wow! The bodies were carved from sandstone, although some details were molded in mud mixed with straw and coated with stucco. They survived for more than 1,500 years, but sadly, in 2001 the Taliban regime ordered their destruction and they were dynamited.
Aleppo souk
This is a market located in the old, walled part of Aleppo (Syria). Imported goods such as silk and spices were sold here, as well as local products like wool and soap. Its tunnels witnessed intense fighting, and many of the oldest tunnels are now so damaged beyond recognition. A shame.
The Deir Ez-Zor Bridge
This bridge, which connected the city of Deir ez-Zor (Syria), was built over the Euphrates River in 1927. It was a popular pedestrian crossing, but in its later years, it was also an important supply route during a battle. The result? The bridge eventually collapsed due to bombing and was finally destroyed in the Syrian Civil War in 2013.
Crack of the Knights
This castle was the headquarters of the Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem in Syria during the Crusades. Although it survived centuries of battles and various natural disasters during this time, it was partially damaged during the Syrian Civil War by the regime's airstrikes and artillery. Fortunately, it is currently undergoing reconstruction.
Al-Omari Mosque
This monument was located in the heart of the city of Jabaliya, located in northern Gaza. It is the largest and oldest mosque in the Gaza Strip. During Israeli airstrikes, its walls, dome, and roof were destroyed, along with dozens of other historic sites.
Knowledge through art
As we pointed out at the beginning, through the monuments, sculptures, and various works of art our ancestors left behind, we learn about their way of life and customs. These monuments may have been a key point for some of them during their historical period, or simply a place they frequently visited.
Sculptures and monuments have the ability to last for many years, allowing us to analyze, study, and learn from them. It is everyone's responsibility to care for the cultural heritage they left behind. For many of the inhabitants of these countries, the damage to these monuments has been as significant as what happened to Notre Dame has been for us.
Tell us, were you lucky enough to see any of these monuments? If so, tell us what they conveyed to you.
