Mosul Museum: A Testament to History and Resilience

The Mosul Museum, established in 1952, holds a significant place in Iraq's cultural landscape as the second largest museum in the country after the National Museum in Baghdad. Its history is deeply intertwined with that of Mosul, reflecting the city's rich heritage and turbulent past. The museum's original building, a small hall, was expanded in 1972 to accommodate a growing collection of ancient Assyrian artifacts and other historical treasures. Throughout its existence, the Mosul Museum has aimed to preserve and showcase the diverse history of the region, with collections spanning the Assyrian, Hellenistic, Islamic, and prehistoric periods. The museum has served as a repository of knowledge, displaying sculptures, pottery, inscriptions, and relics that narrate the stories of civilizations that have shaped northern Iraq. Its exhibits have provided insights into the daily lives, beliefs, and artistic achievements of these ancient societies. In 2003, to avoid looting during the Iraq War, a significant portion of the collection was moved to the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, leaving behind only the monumental pieces. In June 2014, just as the museum was preparing to reopen after a renovation, ISIS captured Mosul and, in February 2015, released a video showing the destruction of artifacts, claiming they promoted idolatry. This act was a deliberate attempt to erase the region's history and culture. Following the recapture of Mosul in 2017, the museum was found damaged, with many artifacts looted or destroyed. However, an international coalition of cultural heritage organizations launched the Mosul Cultural Museum Rehabilitation Project in 2018 to restore the building and its collection. The museum is gradually being brought back to life through the efforts of the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, the Musée du Louvre, the Smithsonian Institution, and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH). The scars of war will remain visible in some parts of the museum, serving as a reminder of the challenges faced and overcome. The museum is expected to fully reopen in 2026.