Al Mutanabbi Street - in pictures

  • Al Mutanabbi Street is home to a historic book market and the centre of intellectual life in Iraq's capital, Baghdad. Photo: Sinan Mahmoud / The National
    Al Mutanabbi Street is home to a historic book market and the centre of intellectual life in Iraq's capital, Baghdad. Photo: Sinan Mahmoud / The National
  • The street has undergone a facelift and reopened early this month.
    The street has undergone a facelift and reopened early this month.
  • People visit Al Mutanabbi Street to buy books, watch arts performances and celebrate festivals.
    People visit Al Mutanabbi Street to buy books, watch arts performances and celebrate festivals.
  • Street vendors and coffee shops also thrive in the area.
    Street vendors and coffee shops also thrive in the area.
  • The street lies in the heart of old Baghdad.
    The street lies in the heart of old Baghdad.
  • The revived Al Mutanabbi Street recently hosted Christmas and New Year celebrations.
    The revived Al Mutanabbi Street recently hosted Christmas and New Year celebrations.
  • A building's balconies freshly painted with Islamic motifs, on the street.
    A building's balconies freshly painted with Islamic motifs, on the street.
  • People look at books on sale.
    People look at books on sale.
  • The one-kilometre stretch of narrow colonnade has been repaved.
    The one-kilometre stretch of narrow colonnade has been repaved.
  • Authorities say they also want to recreate the area’s former buzzing nightlife.
    Authorities say they also want to recreate the area’s former buzzing nightlife.
  • Shops and yellow-brick buildings that flank either side of the famous street, some dating back to the Ottoman era, have been painted and decorated.
    Shops and yellow-brick buildings that flank either side of the famous street, some dating back to the Ottoman era, have been painted and decorated.
  • New wooden benches were installed and stalls for street vendors have been set up.
    New wooden benches were installed and stalls for street vendors have been set up.