Swords of Qadissyah

DESTINATIONS iraq baghdad Do & See Swords of Qadissyah

Swords of Qadissyah

The Swords of Qadissyah, also known as Victory Arch or Hands of Victory, is one of Baghdad's more bizarre monuments, consisting statues of two hands holding swords that join above the road. They mark the entrance to Great Celebrations square, which celebrates Iraq's victory in the Iran-Iraq war.

Useful Information

Address: Swords of Qadisiyah, Baghdad
Phone: +964 781 471 2915

Do & See

Though international visitors are advised to remain within the International Zone for security reasons, venturing outside its boundaries reveals more of what the city has to offer. Within and without, imposing monuments to wartime heroes and some fascinating museums make up some of the highlights, and parks provide some much needed green spaces for locals to rest.

Iraqi Museum

The Iraqi Museum is dedicated to the history of Iraq and the peoples that have inhabited its territory throughout the centuries. The collections include Sumerian, Assyrian and Babylonian artefacts dated back as far as 7,000 years, although, unfortunately, many were lost during the looting that took place during the early days of the war in…

Monument to the Unknown Soldier

Located in the Great Celebration square, this imposing monument represents a traditional Iraqi shield (called a dira'a) being dropped by the loosening hand of a dying soldier, and it is meant to commemorate all the men who fought and died for their country in the Iran-Iraq war.

Swords of Qadissyah

Baghdadi Museum

Described as the Iraqi "Madam Tussaud's", the Baghdadi Museum's wax sculptures eternalize not the modern-day movie stars but average Baghdadi residents going about their lives during mid-20th century. The museum is a family-friendly place to learn about local folklore and past lifestyles.

Zawraa Park

One of the biggest and well-known parks in Baghdad, Zawraa Park's territory used to be occupied by an army camp, but was later transformed into a family-friendly recreation area. Green spaces, playgrounds, shops, cafés and even the city zoo are all located inside.