Mar Behnam Monastery, Syriac Catholic monastery in Qaraqosh, Iraq.
The monastery consists of a main church building and a separate tomb structure placed into a small hill known as Tell al-Khidr.
Built in the 4th century by King Senchareb, the monastery commemorates his children Behnam and Sara who were martyred after converting to Christianity.
The monastery displays architectural elements combining Syriac Christian traditions with Abbasid style reliefs, representing northern Iraq's religious heritage.
The monastery underwent complete restoration in December 2018 following liberation from ISIS forces, which had occupied the site between 2014 and 2016.
The monastery features inscriptions in Uighur script above Mar Behnam's tomb, dating from 1295 after a restoration prompted by Mongol ruler Baidu Khan.
Location: Qaraqosh
Architectural style: Romanesque architecture
GPS coordinates: 36.13778,43.40639
Latest update: May 17, 2025 10:36
Nineveh
34.3 km
Nimrud
8.3 km
Library of Ashurbanipal
33.6 km
Dur-Sharrukin
44.4 km
Great Mosque of al-Nuri
34 km
Dair Mar Elia
30.1 km
Mar Mattai monastery
39.3 km
Mosque of the Prophet Yunus
32.2 km
Tepe Gawra
40.9 km
Mosul Grand Mosque
34.1 km
Church of Saint Thomas
33.9 km
Balawat
9.6 km
Bash Tapia Castle
35.2 km
Chaldean Catholic Archeparchy of Mosul
33.9 km
Mar Oraha Monastery
51 km
Al Tahira Church
15 km
Our Lady of the Hour Church
33.7 km
The Shrine of Yahya Abu al-Qasim
35.1 km
Syrian Catholic Archeparchy of Mossul
32.7 km
Monastery of Saint John of Dailam
18.3 km
Imam al-Baher Mosque
34.6 km
Fifth Bridge
34.7 km
Mosul Library
32.6 km
Beit al-Tutunji
33.6 km
Mart-Meskinta-Kirche
33.7 km
Minaret of the Nouri Mosque
34 km
Old city of Mosul
32.3 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes