The Erbil Citadel, one of the world’s oldest places where people have lived without interruption, is lighting up again—both literally and with new signs of life. After the first big step of lighting part of the citadel three weeks ago, the second phase was finished on May 29, 2025. Now, almost 80% of the outer buildings glow warmly at night, showing how far the restoration has come.
What was once a quiet, empty site is slowly becoming a living neighborhood again. The lighting isn’t just decoration—it’s a sign that the citadel is waking up.
Falah Hassan, who leads the team restoring the citadel, said the work is more than fixing old stones. “We are bringing back memory and identity,” he said. He added that Kurdish families will soon start moving back into their old homes inside the citadel, some as early as this year.
The team is choosing families with real ties to the citadel’s history to return first. While their homes will keep their old, traditional look, they’ll be updated to fit modern life.
The citadel sits high on a hill in Erbil and has been home to many different civilizations over thousands of years—from the ancient Sumerians to the Ottomans. Its unique shape and strong walls have protected its people for centuries.
Inside, work continues to restore important places like the Grand Mosque, old bathhouses, and Sufi lodges. Skilled local artisans are carefully bringing these places back to life, and the mosque’s reopening will be a key moment when residents move back.
The plan also includes new spots like a tea house, a guesthouse, and a restaurant, making the citadel a lively place for visitors and locals alike. The narrow streets and close-knit homes will once again be full of life and community.
Support from the government has helped speed up the project. Moving the restoration team under the direct care of the Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister made a big difference, helping with funding and coordination.
UNESCO, which named the citadel a World Heritage site in 2014, has recently checked on the work. They say the project is going well and following international rules, even as the team carefully adds modern utilities like electricity and plumbing without harming the old buildings.
What makes this restoration special is that it’s about more than saving old stones. It’s about bringing back the heart and soul of a place full of memories, culture, and community.
As the citadel shines bright over Erbil at night, it’s clear: this is not just an ancient monument. It’s a home coming back to life.
