Ankawa, human settlement in Iraq
Ankawa is a district located about 8 kilometers northwest of central Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It sits on the Erbil Plain at an elevation of around 400 meters and features residential neighborhoods, commercial streets with shops and restaurants, several churches representing different Christian denominations, and modern shopping centers alongside traditional markets.
Ankawa was founded nearly two thousand years ago and tradition holds that Saint Thomas the Apostle established it in the second century as a Christian settlement. The site remained a small village for centuries until after 2003, when it experienced rapid growth as Christians from other parts of Iraq fled violence and sought refuge in the district.
Ankawa is a district where Christian communities from the Chaldean Catholic, Assyrian, and Syriac Orthodox churches form the main population. Churches serve as gathering places where residents celebrate their heritage through annual festivals and religious observances that connect them to their ancient roots and traditions.
The district is easily accessible by car, bus, or taxi from Erbil city center and the nearby international airport with well-maintained roads connecting the two. Visitors will find hotels ranging from guesthouses to comfortable accommodations, restaurants serving both local and international food, and shops and markets within walking distance of most areas.
The site was originally known as Beth Amka, a name that appears in historical records mentioning Mongol troops passing through the area in the late 13th century. Archaeological remains on the mound called Tell Qasra date to the Neo-Assyrian period and show that this location has been inhabited and strategically important for thousands of years.
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