Victory Arch Travel Guide

The Victory Arch, officially known as the Swords of Qādisīyah, stands as a powerful symbol in the heart of Baghdad. Constructed to commemorate Iraq's victory in the Iran-Iraq War, the monument consists of two arches, each featuring a pair of massive hands emerging from the ground, holding 43-meter-long swords that cross at a central point.The monument was commissioned by Saddam Hussein, with the design based on his concept sketch. The hands are said to be modeled after Saddam Hussein's own hands, adding a personal dimension to the monument. The swords themselves are based on the weapons wielded by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, the Arab leader at the Battle of Qadisiyya in 636 CE, linking the Iran-Iraq War to a historical victory. The scattering of helmets at the base of the monument represents fallen soldiers.Opened to the public on August 8, 1989, the Victory Arch has become one of Baghdad's most photographed monuments. Visitors can stand in specific locations to create the illusion that they are holding the swords themselves. While presenting a triumphalist narrative, the arch has also come to represent all Iraqis who have fallen in war throughout the country's history.