Great Mosque of Samarra جامع سامراء الكبير
The Great Mosque of Samarra is a historic mosque, archaeological site, and protected area located in Samarra, Iraq. Built in 848, the structure features Abbasid architecture constructed from brick and spans 239 meters in length. It ranks as one of the most looked-up sights in Iraq.
Planning a visit
The weather in Samarra is hot during the summer months, with daily highs reaching 41 °C in June, 44 °C in July, and 43 °C in August. For more moderate temperatures, consider visiting in the spring months of March and April, or in the autumn months of October and November, when daily highs range between 22 °C and 32 °C. Rain is minimal throughout the year, with the highest frequency of rainy days occurring in February and March, typically seeing about 6 days of rainfall each.
Baghdad International Airport is the closest major airport, situated 110 km from the site. The mosque is located 109 km from Baghdad. Visitors often combine a trip to the mosque with a visit to the Al-Askari Shrine, which is located 1 km away. The mosque, known locally as جامع سامراء الكبير, features Abbasid architecture.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 44 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 14 | 17 | 22 | 29 | 36 | 41 | 44 | 43 | 39 | 32 | 22 | 16 |
| Average low, °C | 4 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 19 | 11 | 6 |
| Rainfall, mm | 33 | 31 | 28 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 26 | 28 |
| Rainy days | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
