Iraq’s ancient ruins of Hatra welcome tourists again - in pictures

Tourists visit the ancient city of Hatra in northern Iraq. All photos: AFP
Tourists visit the ancient city of Hatra in northern Iraq. All photos: AFP
The ancient city was destroyed by ISIS in 2015.
The ancient city was destroyed by ISIS in 2015.
Local authority initiatives seek to encourage tourism and turn the page on the years of violence under ISIS.
Local authority initiatives seek to encourage tourism and turn the page on the years of violence under ISIS.
The city is Unesco-listed and was once famed for its cultural diversity.
The city is Unesco-listed and was once famed for its cultural diversity.
Five years after the defeat of ISIS, Mosul and its surroundings are regaining some semblance of normality with the first tourists visiting Hatra.
Five years after the defeat of ISIS, Mosul and its surroundings are regaining some semblance of normality with the first tourists visiting Hatra.
A tourist explores the ancient city of Hatra in northern Iraq.
A tourist explores the ancient city of Hatra in northern Iraq.
At its peak, Hatra covered an area of 299 hectares and sat at the crossroads of major trade routes between the Roman and Parthian Empires.
At its peak, Hatra covered an area of 299 hectares and sat at the crossroads of major trade routes between the Roman and Parthian Empires.
Officials say nearly 15 per cent of the city was destroyed during the conflict with ISIS.
Officials say nearly 15 per cent of the city was destroyed during the conflict with ISIS.