Iraq's spiral minaret - in pictures

The spiral Malwiya minaret is a treasured Iraqi national monument, built in the mid-ninth century. All photos: AFP
The spiral Malwiya minaret is a treasured Iraqi national monument, built in the mid-ninth century. All photos: AFP
Iraqis visit the spiral minaret, which is part of the Great Mosque of Samarra.
Iraqis visit the spiral minaret, which is part of the Great Mosque of Samarra.
The 50-metre tower of sun-dried and baked brick, modelled on ancient ziggurats, which was built to symbolise the power of Islam during the Abbasid caliphate, was listed as a Uneseco World Heritage Site in 2007.
The 50-metre tower of sun-dried and baked brick, modelled on ancient ziggurats, which was built to symbolise the power of Islam during the Abbasid caliphate, was listed as a Uneseco World Heritage Site in 2007.
It was built to symbolise the power of Islam during the Abbasid caliphate.
It was built to symbolise the power of Islam during the Abbasid caliphate.
People visit the spiral Malwiya minaret.
People visit the spiral Malwiya minaret.
The Mosque and its spiral minaret are among the numerous remarkable architectural monuments of the site, 80 per cent of which remain to be excavated, figures compiled by Unesco show.
The Mosque and its spiral minaret are among the numerous remarkable architectural monuments of the site, 80 per cent of which remain to be excavated, figures compiled by Unesco show.
The ancient city of Samarra is the only surviving Islamic capital that retains its original plan, architecture and arts, such as mosaics and carvings, Unesco says.
The ancient city of Samarra is the only surviving Islamic capital that retains its original plan, architecture and arts, such as mosaics and carvings, Unesco says.
An aerial view shows the spiral Malwiya minaret.
An aerial view shows the spiral Malwiya minaret.
Samarra was the second capital of the Abbasid Caliphate after Baghdad.
Samarra was the second capital of the Abbasid Caliphate after Baghdad.