The Architecture of Mosul in the era of Nur al-Din Zengi

The Iraqi city of Mosul is one of the most important cities in the Muslim and Arab worlds, since it became part of Muslim lands in 1st century AH/ 7th century CE. Its architecture expanded and evolved under the Muslims til the reign of the Zengids and especially the period of the reign of Sultan Nur al-Din Zengi, who paid much attention to the buildings of the city and its walls were many of its buildings were restored as well as constructing new ones such as the mosque named after him. This paper is an attempt to highlight his role in the city’s architecture. The theme was chosen in view of previous studies which primarily had focused on the political and military aspects of the Zengi dynasty, such as the study of Prof. Dr. Imad Eddin Khalil about “Imad al-Din Zengi” and the study of Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi on “Nur al-Din Mahmoud Zengi: his personality and era”. This is what distinguishes our study from previous works, as it emphasises on the architectural structures during his reign and the city of Mosul in particular. A number of relevant sources and references have been utilised and the paper includes a map showing the urbanisation of the city