Al-Kadhimiya Mosque, Mausoleum and mosque in Kadhimiya, Iraq

Al-Kadhimiya is a mosque and mausoleum in the Kadhimiya district of Baghdad, holding the tombs of Imam Musa al-Kazim and his grandson Imam Muhammad al-Jawad. Two equal-sized domes rise above the roof, each covered with nine thousand bricks of pure gold, and four large minarets sheathed in gold reach 35 metres above the roof. The courtyard is enclosed by a 10-metre wall of brick inscribed with Quranic verses.

The complex was established in the 9th century as a burial site for two imams and developed over the centuries into an important religious center. Later rulers renewed the structures multiple times and added the golden exterior coverings of the domes.

The shrine takes its name from Imam Musa al-Kadhim, whose tomb draws pilgrims from across the Middle East. On feast days, worshippers gather in the courtyards for prayer while scholars hold theological discussions in the arcades.

Several entrance gates lead into the inner complex, with the main gates usually offering a direct path to the central prayer halls. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and expect security checks at the entrance.

The golden exterior surfaces of the domes and towers use thousands of individual bricks made of pure gold. This covering was renewed during several restorations and gives the structure its characteristic shine from a distance.