Tahrir Monument Travel Guide

The Tahrir Monument (also known as Nasb al-Hurriyah, meaning Freedom Monument) is an iconic landmark in the heart of Baghdad, situated in Al-Tahrir Square (Liberation Square). This monument commemorates Iraq's declaration of independence and stands as a testament to the Iraqi people's enduring spirit.Designed by the renowned Iraqi sculptor Jawad Saleem and architect Rifat Chadirji, the monument was opened in 1961. It consists of bronze figures on a travertine wall and portrays key events leading up to the creation of the Republic of Iraq in 1958. The bas-relief figures intentionally echo the artistic traditions of ancient Mesopotamia. The monument is intended to be read as a verse of Arabic poetry, from right to left, starting with the events that preceded the revolution and concluding with the harmony that followed independence.The monument comprises 14 bronze units installed on a white foundation that is 50 meters wide. The sculptures include representations of ordinary people – a woman hugging a martyr, a political prisoner, workers and soldiers, and a child pointing to the future, symbolizing the Iraqi people's struggle for freedom. The multiple references and hidden layers of meaning within the monument have inspired artists across the Arab region, encouraging them to pursue artwork with a national identity.Tahrir Square itself is Baghdad's biggest and most central square, located in the Al-Rusafa part of the city, on the eastern banks of the Tigris River. The square has been the center of various protests and demonstrations in Baghdad and Iraq, most notably the unrest of the October 2019 Iraqi protests.