Al-Shaheed Monument, War memorial in Baghdad, Iraq
Al-Shaheed Monument is a war memorial in Baghdad featuring a 40-meter split turquoise dome rising above a circular platform surrounded by an artificial lake. The complex extends underground with two levels that house a museum, library, lecture hall, gallery spaces, and a cafeteria.
The monument opened in 1983 during the Iran-Iraq War as part of a broader construction initiative in Baghdad during that period. Its creation reflected the city's need to commemorate the conflict through a major architectural project.
The monument blends traditional Baghdad architectural forms with contemporary design, allowing visitors to see how history and modernity intersect in the space. The eternal flame burning at the center of the split dome creates a focal point that visitors can observe directly as they move through the complex.
Daytime visits work best, when natural light reveals the dome architecture and artificial lakeside setting. Visitors should allow adequate time to explore both the above-ground and underground sections of the complex.
The structural framework was developed by the renowned engineering firm Ove Arup & Partners and used carbon fiber reinforcement to ensure the split dome remained stable. This technical solution made the distinctive design form possible for visitors to experience today.
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