Abbasid Samarra, Archaeological site in Samarra, Iraq

Abbasid Samarra is the archaeological site of the Abbasid capital founded in 836, lying on the east bank of the Tigris about 130 km north of Baghdad near the head of the Nahrawan Canal. Its planned streets, palaces, mosques and cantonments survive as ruins, and the modern city of Samarra stands within them. The Great Mosque's spiral brick minaret rises in tapering tiers, with a band of white tiles bearing a green and red motif near the top and a small arched pavilion at the summit.

The Abbasid caliphs moved their seat of government here in 836 and built a complete city within a few decades. After 892 the rulers returned to Baghdad and left the settlement to gradually decline.

The name Samarra predates Islam: Greek authors wrote Suma, Latin Sumere and Syriac Šumara. The Abbasid caliphs gave their foundation the formal name Surra Man Ra'ā, "he who sees it is delighted", which appeared on coins, while Sāmarrā' became the standard spelling. The modern city of the same name lies within the Abbasid ruins.

The grounds lie in a dry climate and offer little shade, so visiting during cooler morning hours is advisable. Some areas are difficult to walk through because of loose sand and uneven surfaces.

Aerial photographs show the complete street network of the city with houses and public buildings that remains largely preserved beneath the ground. Only one fifth of the complex has been uncovered so far, with the rest still waiting for further research.