Gulf Tower

Karbala is a major city in Iraq, and the capital of Karbala Governorate. With a population of around 800,000 people in 2024, Karbala is the second-largest city in central Iraq, after Baghdad. The city is located a few miles east of Lake Milh, also known as Razzaza Lake. With presence of the Imam Husayn and Al-Abbas Shrines, Karbala is a profoundly holy city in Shia Islam. It is one of the main political, spiritual, and cultural hubs of Shia Islam. The city was the location of the Battle of Karbala, where Husayn, grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia Imam, was massacred alongside most of his family by the forces of the Umayyad caliph Yazid in 680 CE. Karbala went on to become an important center of pilgrimage. After the Siege of Baghdad in 1258, Karbala came under the control of the Mongol Empire led by Hulegu Khan. The city continued to be under multiple successive empires.

One of the most famous attractions in Karbala is the Imam Hussain Shrine, which is one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam. The shrine is dedicated to Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was martyred in Karbala in 680 AD. Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine every year, and it's a truly awe-inspiring sight to behold.

Another must-see attraction in Karbala is the Al Abbas Mosque, which is also an important site for Shia Muslims. The mosque is dedicated to Abbas ibn Ali, the half-brother of Imam Hussain, and it's known for its stunning architecture and elaborate decorations.