Mausoleums of 10th Imam Ali Alhadi and 11th Imam Hasan Alaskari, Samarra

In Samarra rises the al-Askari Shrine, holding the tombs of the tenth and eleventh Twelver Imams and, beside them, the sardab from which the awaited twelfth Imam is believed to have entered occultation. Its golden dome, destroyed in a 2006 bombing that triggered sectarian war, was rebuilt by 2009 — now a powerful symbol of resilience.

The al-Askari Shrine is among the holiest sites in Twelver Shia Islam and a center of messianic hope. It holds the tombs of the tenth Imam, Ali al-Hadi (al-Naqi), and the eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari, who lived under house arrest in the Abbasid garrison quarter of Samarra — Askar al-Mu'tasim — from which they take the name al-Askari, and were buried in their dwelling in 868 and 874 CE. Also interred there are Hakima Khatun and Narjis Khatun, mother of the twelfth Imam. Beside the tombs is the sardab, the cellar from which, in Twelver belief, the young twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, descended into the Minor Occultation, to return at the end of time. This makes Samarra central to Twelver eschatology.

A first dome was raised over the graves around 939-940 CE, and the shrine was repeatedly rebuilt and embellished, with the dome gilded under the Qajar ruler Nasir al-Din Shah in 1868-69. On 22 February 2006 the golden dome was destroyed in a bombing, and the minarets were brought down in June 2007; the attack helped trigger years of sectarian civil war. With Iraqi government and UNESCO assistance the dome was repaired by 2009 and the shrine reopened. The rebuilt dome carries a 'defiant dome' narrative of resilience after violence.

Pilgrims report an overwhelming, emotionally intense atmosphere, especially at the sardab; the shrine draws large numbers around the Imams' anniversaries. It invites reflection on patience under oppression, on messianic hope (intizar, the awaiting of the Mahdi), and on communal resilience after violence. The site lies within the Samarra Archaeological City UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the security situation should be verified before traveling.

The shrine of the tenth and eleventh Imams, the site of the Hidden Imam's occultation, destroyed in 2006 and rebuilt.

The Imams al-Hadi and al-Askari lived under house arrest in the Abbasid garrison quarter of Samarra, Askar al-Mu'tasim, from which they take the name al-Askari, and were buried in their dwelling in 868 and 874 CE. According to Shia tradition, the young twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, descended into the cellar (sardab) beneath the shrine and entered occultation, to return at the end of time. A first dome was raised over the graves around 939-940 CE, and the shrine was repeatedly rebuilt.

Twelver Shia Islam, central to the eschatology of the Hidden Imam and held in esteem by Samarra's Sunnis as well.

The tombs of two Imams and the cellar tied to the Hidden Imam's occultation, charged with messianic hope.

The thinness of the al-Askari Shrine rests on the tombs of two of the Twelve Imams and on the sardab linked to the occultation of the twelfth. It holds not only the graves of al-Hadi and al-Askari but also revered women of the Ahl al-Bayt, and the cellar from which, in Twelver belief, the Hidden Imam entered occultation — a place saturated with eschatological hope and the awaiting (intizar) of his return. After the 2006 destruction and the rebuilding that followed, the dome has also become a symbol of communal resilience. Pilgrims describe an overwhelming, emotionally intense atmosphere, especially at the sardab.

The burial place and shrine of the two 'Askari Imams in their Samarra residence, and a focus of devotion tied to the Hidden Imam's occultation.

The Imams were buried in their Samarra dwelling in 868 (al-Hadi) and 874 CE (al-Askari); a first dome was raised around 939-940 CE, with repeated later renovation and a Qajar gilding of the dome in 1868-69. The golden dome was destroyed in 2006 and the minarets in 2007; the dome was rebuilt by 2009 with Iraqi government and UNESCO assistance. It remains a major active Shia pilgrimage shrine.

Ziyarat at the tombs, supplications at the sardab of the Hidden Imam, and mourning on the Imams' anniversaries.

Ziyarat prayers at the tombs and at the sardab, supplications for the Hidden Imam, and mourning rituals on the Imams' martyrdom anniversaries.

Daily pilgrimage, with major gatherings on the death anniversaries of the two Imams and during Shia mourning seasons.

Approach the tombs and the sardab with attentiveness to the hope and patience they hold — the awaiting of the Mahdi, and the endurance of the Imams under house arrest. The rebuilt dome offers a separate kind of reflection, on resilience after the violence of 2006. Observe respectfully where access permits.

An emotionally intense shrine of two Imams, with the sardab of the Hidden Imam and a rebuilt golden dome.

The shrine stands in Samarra, about 120 km north of Baghdad in Saladin Governorate, within the Samarra Archaeological City UNESCO site. Pilgrims report an overwhelming, emotionally intense atmosphere, especially at the sardab, the cellar associated with the Hidden Imam's occultation. The rebuilt golden dome is a powerful symbol of resilience after the 2006 bombing.

A visit invites reflection on patience under oppression, on messianic hope — intizar, the awaiting of the Mahdi — and on communal resilience after violence. Access is subject to security screening, and for foreign and non-Muslim visitors it can be restricted or require permission depending on conditions, so the security situation should be verified before travel. Respectful observation is welcome where access permits, with prayer participation optional.

Pass through security screening and observe strict dress requirements. Ziyarat is offered at the tombs and supplications at the sardab. Photography is often restricted inside — follow signage and staff instructions. Confirm current access and security conditions before planning a visit to Samarra.

The shrine is read by historians as a major medieval Shia shrine within a UNESCO zone and by tradition as the seat of messianic hope.

Historically the burial site of the tenth and eleventh Imams; a major medieval Shia shrine repeatedly rebuilt, within the Samarra UNESCO archaeological zone, catastrophically damaged in 2006-07 and reconstructed. The first dome is dated variously to 328 AH (939-40 CE) and the broader shrine to 944 CE; the Imams' deaths are given as al-Hadi 254/868 and al-Askari 260/874.

Twelver Shia tradition venerates it as the home and tomb of the 'Askariyyayn and the site of the Hidden Imam's occultation, a focus of messianic devotion; Samarra's Sunnis also hold the site in esteem.

Esoteric and devotional currents emphasize the living presence of the Hidden Imam connected to the sardab.

The occultation of the twelfth Imam is, by definition, a matter of faith beyond historical verification; the exact original form of the early shrine is not fully documented. Current security and access for foreign visitors fluctuate.

In Samarra ~120 km north of Baghdad; busiest on the Imams' anniversaries; verify security first; 1-2 hours.

In Samarra, about 120 km north of Baghdad in Saladin Governorate. Access is subject to checkpoints and security conditions; foreign visitors should arrange travel carefully. Approximate coordinates ~34.1986 N, 43.8742 E.

Lodging in Samarra exists for pilgrims; many visitors base in Baghdad and travel up for the day, subject to security conditions.

Strict modest dress with hijab and abaya for women, security screening, and restricted photography inside.

This is a major active shrine of immense significance whose 2006 destruction triggered sectarian civil war; it is politically and religiously charged, and respectful conduct is essential. Observe strict modest dress: women wear hijab and abaya, and men cover legs and shoulders. Expect security screening. Photography is often restricted inside — follow signage and staff instructions. Behave with reverence near the tombs and the sardab.

Strict modest dress; women wear hijab and abaya, men cover legs and shoulders.

Often restricted inside; follow signage and staff instructions; security may limit cameras.

Donations to the shrine endowment; no required material offering.

Security screening; behave with reverence near the tombs and sardab; remove shoes where required.

Sacred places within a half-day’s reach. Pilgrims often visit them together: walk one, stay for the other.

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Sources consulted when researching this page. Independent verification by readers is welcome.

1. 01UNESCO to help Iraq reconstruct revered Al-Askari shrine in Samarra — UN News — United Nations / UNESCOhigh-reliability
2. 02Iraqis rebuild al-Askari mosque — Al Jazeera — Al Jazeerahigh-reliability
3. 03Marqad al-Imamayn, Samarra — Archnet — Archnet (MIT/Aga Khan)high-reliability
4. 04Al-Askari Shrine — Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors
5. 05Shrine of al-Askariyyayn — WikiShia — WikiShia
6. 06History of the Shrine of Imam Ali al-Naqi and Imam Hasan al-Askari — Al-Islam.org — Al-Islam.org
7. 072006 al-Askari mosque bombing — Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors