Monastery of Saint Elijah

Ruined ancient Christian monastery site near Mosul, remembered as one of Iraq’s oldest churches.

The Monastery of Saint Elijah, also known as Dair Mar Elia, was long regarded as one of Iraq's oldest Christian monastic sites. Its story is now inseparable from loss: satellite imagery and reporting in 2016 confirmed that the monastery had been destroyed during the Islamic State occupation of the Mosul area.

This is not a conventional sightseeing stop, and travellers should be realistic about security, access, and what remains on the ground. It belongs in Mosul's guide because it explains something essential about the city's Christian heritage and the damage done to that heritage in recent war.

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