Ella Békési

Located in northern Iraq, on the edge of the Nineveh Plains, Akre is a vibrant city with an old historic quarter and growing new neighbourhoods to make space for the recent influx of people.

The city’s significance in the region lies in its long and multicultural history.

1. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world
Founded in the 7th century BC, likely under Medes rule, Akre had been under Roman control, then invaded or settled by numerous Kurdish tribes throughout the centuries. The city was at the crossroads of various military campaigns in the 18th century, after which Akre came under Ottoman rule until the early 20th century. Today, the site belongs to the Duhok province as part of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

2. Jewish history
Akre was part of a string of multicultural and multi-religious settlements along the foothills of the same mountain range. The city and the region were populated by Christian and Muslim habitants along with Jewish communities dating back to the 12th century, as described by the medieval traveller and ethnographer Benjamin of Tudela. Later traveller reports from 1884 say that only around 30 Jewish families remained living at Shush. In the mid-20th century, the remaining Jewish population migrated to Israel or left the area. However, many sites bear witness to the centuries-long presence of Jewish communities.

In the nearby village of Shush (a 30 min drive from Akre) stands the Synagogue of Ezekiel. There is also a nearby spring with a structure that used to house a stone chest for the scrolls of the Torah. In fact, 19th-century Jewish community life in Shush centered around the ancient synagogue.

3. Nowruz celebrations
Many don’t know, but Akre is one of the biggest destinations in Iraqi Kurdistan during Nowruz festivities. Nowruz, the New Year’s celebration, falls on the spring equinox every year and is celebrated by many diverse ethnolinguistic groups worldwide. Akre celebrates Nowruz with parades, lit torches that are carried up into the mountains, picnics, and fireworks across town. It is definitely worth a visit.

If you are interested in or planning to visit Akre, click here to read an article by Levi Clancy about the ancient city. If you have already visited or are from Iraq, please send us your favourite photo. We will post it on Instagram !

Photo credit: Levi Clancy