Mosul's revival: A lasting legacy built through international cooperation

One year after the black flags of Daesh were lowered over Mosul, Iraq, UNESCO launched an ambitious initiative so this city could rise from the ashes. Today, “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” is writing a story of hope and resilience – and a powerful response to extremism. The rebirth of Mosul is a lasting legacy for UNESCO and multilateralism, highlighting how effective international cooperation can be.

31 January 2025 – Last update:6 February 2025

The rebirth of iconic landmarks “as they were”

After Daesh invaded Mosul in 2014, Al-Nouri Mosque and its famed Al-Hadba Minaret, symbols of the city for centuries, were reduced to rubble. Today, however, these monuments again dominate the skyline. For Omar, a young architect, one of several locals meticulously piecing together fragments of history, “When I saw the minaret rise again, it was like watching my city come back to life.”

Reconstruction is about much more than physical restoration; it is about reclaiming identity and unity. This conviction lies at the heart of UNESCO’s efforts to rebuild Mosul’s symbolic monuments, including Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Hadba Minaret.

Al-hadba Minaret during and after construction.

The project, launched in partnership with the United Arab Emirates, has faced hurdles, from defusing hidden explosives to preserving 12th-century prayer rooms discovered during excavations. Not to mention the challenge of rebuilding the beloved minaret “as it was”: leaning, with the original materials. Nevertheless, the team persevered, weaving together history and modernity to create a structure that honours the past while looking to the future.

This approach has also been applied to other symbolic monuments across the Old City. Nearby, the bells of Al-Saa’a Convent and Al-Tahera Church – which flew from France and Italy to Mosul – ring once again, signalling a new chapter in the city’s history. Their revival, supported by the UAE and ALIPH, symbolizes the religious diversity at the core of this multicultural community.

Reviving the city’s cultural pulse

Beyond the restoration of monuments, the revival of Mosul’s cultural life is just as vital. The city’s historic neighbourhoods, which once echoed with laughter and music, are finding their rhythm again.

To support the return of families, UNESCO has meticulously rebuilt 124 heritage houses, with the support of the European Union. For Najat, who once shared her home with nine brothers and sisters, “Returning to live here is like a dream, every corner carries precious memories.”

UNESCO has also implemented cultural initiatives, to bring the arts back to the forefront. Young filmmakers, trained in collaboration with the City Theatre of Ghent, are documenting Mosul’s recovery. Young creators now have their own space – “The Station” – which provides training on traditional musical instruments. A community information centre has opened on the banks of the Tigris, hosting events and supporting civil society initiatives – so that Mosul can sing, dance, read and speak freely as before.

Education: Building foundations for the future

In a city where many children had never seen a classroom, education is another cornerstone of hope. Al-Ekhlas Primary School, rebuilt by UNESCO with support from the EU, has been equipped with classrooms, a library, and spaces for creativity. Around 400 more classrooms have been renovated across Nineveh province, and the University of Mosul has received new library equipment and a cinema department.

To prevent the return of violent extremism, over 5,000 educators and parents have been trained in peace education. They have learned how to re-establish dialogue with young people out of school, identify those suffering from psychological distress and answer sensitive questions about the events that took place.

UNESCO’s vocational training programmes have also offered a lifeline to thousands of unemployed youth. Ghufran, a young woman who lost her home in the conflict, received training on brickwork. She was quickly able to find work on a local project, using her earnings to rebuild her home and support her younger siblings.

A city reborn

Through its multifaceted efforts, UNESCO has done more than restore buildings; it has reignited the spirit of a city and its people. Mosul is no longer a place recovering from war; it is a legacy to the power of collective effort and international mobilization. From the leaning minaret to the laughter of children, the city is alive again.

As Omar reflects, “We are not just rebuilding Mosul; we are reviving our spirit. And that’s something no one can destroy.” Much remains to be done, but with UNESCO’s initiative, the Old City of Mosul once again lives up to its name: al-mawsil in Arabic – the link, the junction, the bridge.

UNESCO’s flagship initiative “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” was launched in 2018 by Director-General Audrey Azoulay. It is UNESCO’s most ambitious reconstruction campaign in recent decades. It is based on three pillars: heritage, cultural life and education, as essential drivers for the recovery of Mosul. More than $115 million has already been mobilized, thanks to the support of 15 international partners, in particular the United Arab Emirates and the European Union.