Hawler Castle (Erbil) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Hawler Castle, also known as Erbil Citadel or Qalat Erbil, is a historic fortress located in the center of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world and is a prominent historical and cultural landmark.

Hawler Castle is situated in downtown Erbil, atop a tell or occupied mound that rises approximately 30 meters above the surrounding plain in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Hawler Castle is considered significant due to its historical value, reflecting the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the region. It has been continuously inhabited since at least the fifth millennium BCE and has been a central feature of Erbil throughout different civilizations. In 2014, the citadel was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.