The Najaf Ashraf Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate announced today, Thursday, the registration of 196 heritage sites within the heritage list of the governorate, confirming that the sites date back to different historical periods and form an important part of the city's identity and its cultural legacy.
Director of the Najaf Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate, Mohamed Al-Miyali, stated that the registered sites include heritage khans, religious schools, traditional houses, baths, and sites associated with prominent religious figures, including Khan al-Shaylan, Khan al-Hammad, Khan al-Masala, and Khan al-Rahba.
He explained that the heritage buildings in Najaf are characterized by special architectural features imposed by the geographical and climatic nature of the city, including narrow alleys, basements, and vaults that provided protection for residents from high temperatures during the summer.
For his part, Iraqi antiquities and heritage researcher Aqeel Ghalib affirmed that including 196 sites in the heritage list allows them to be subjected to maintenance, restoration, and protection from infringements, noting that preserving them could enhance the economic and tourism value of the city in the future.
He pointed out that the traditional houses and religious schools in Najaf contain distinctive architectural elements, including balconies, plaster decorations, vaults, multi-level basements, and wells, reflecting an aspect of the city's architectural and social history.
He asserted that protecting and preserving these sites is essential to maintaining the identity of Najaf and its cultural heritage that extends across multiple historical phases.
