Alsaffar, B. (2025). A Geographical analysis for the Locations of The Barracks ‎‎(Qishla) and Ways to ‎Develop Them as Tourist Destinations in ‎The Kurdistan Region of Iraq ‎ ‎(The Qishlas of Erbil and Aqra as a ‎Model)‎. , 2025(2), 573-597. doi: 10.37653/juah.2024.147709.1276
Bahri Salim Alsaffar. "A Geographical analysis for the Locations of The Barracks ‎‎(Qishla) and Ways to ‎Develop Them as Tourist Destinations in ‎The Kurdistan Region of Iraq ‎ ‎(The Qishlas of Erbil and Aqra as a ‎Model)‎". , 2025, 2, 2025, 573-597. doi: 10.37653/juah.2024.147709.1276
Alsaffar, B. (2025). 'A Geographical analysis for the Locations of The Barracks ‎‎(Qishla) and Ways to ‎Develop Them as Tourist Destinations in ‎The Kurdistan Region of Iraq ‎ ‎(The Qishlas of Erbil and Aqra as a ‎Model)‎', , 2025(2), pp. 573-597. doi: 10.37653/juah.2024.147709.1276
Alsaffar, B. A Geographical analysis for the Locations of The Barracks ‎‎(Qishla) and Ways to ‎Develop Them as Tourist Destinations in ‎The Kurdistan Region of Iraq ‎ ‎(The Qishlas of Erbil and Aqra as a ‎Model)‎. , 2025; 2025(2): 573-597. doi: 10.37653/juah.2024.147709.1276

A Geographical analysis for the Locations of The Barracks ‎‎(Qishla) and Ways to ‎Develop Them as Tourist Destinations in ‎The Kurdistan Region of Iraq ‎ ‎(The Qishlas of Erbil and Aqra as a ‎Model)‎

Journal of University of Anbar for Humanities
Volume 2025, Issue 2, June 2025, Pages 573-597    PDF (6.23 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.37653/juah.2024.147709.1276
Author
Bahri Salim Alsaffar*
Erbil Polytechnical University- ErbilTechnical Administrative Institute- Deparment of Tourism Foundation Administration
Abstract
Aims: This current study aims to identify the most prominent obstacles facing tourism development and investment in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with a focus on the Ottoman barracks in the cities of Erbil and Aqra. The study also seeks to propose strategies for reconstructing these barracks to ensure their transformation into active tourist attractions that contribute to the revitalization of local and international tourism, based on the hypothesis that there is a direct relationship between the development of barracks for tourism and the revitalization of economic and cultural activities. Methodology: The historical and descriptive-analytical approaches were adopted to achieve the study aims. The content of the study was divided into three main topics: First unite addressed the definition of the study area and its tourism importance, second addressed the geographical distribution of barracks and their most prominent architectural characteristics, and the third was devoted to studying possible ways to develop these barracks and utilize them for tourism purposes. Results: The study found that barracks in the Kurdistan Region represent an important architectural and historical heritage dating back to the Ottoman era, when they were used as centers to shelter soldiers during winter. The study also revealed the weak tourism benefits from these facilities due to neglect, lack of investment, and a lack of awareness of their heritage significance. Conclusions: The study concluded that the barracks are heritage landmarks capable of supporting tourism development in the region if they are reconstructed and utilized within well-thought-out plans. The study recommended to protect these landmarks and integrate them into the cultural tourism map as part of the architectural and historical identity of the Kurdistan Region
Keywords
Qishla or Qishlat; Barracks; Ottoman Administration; Archaeological; ‎Tourism ‎Development; Military‎
References
Sources and References:

Arabic References:

 

  1. Al-Ansi, Mohammed Ali: Ottoman Language Dictionary titled “Al-Dari Al-Lama'at fi Mukhtarat Al-Lughat”, Beirut Newspaper Press, Beirut, 1318 AH.
  2. Al-Darraji, Saadi Ibrahim: Baghdad Qishla, Its History, Planning, and Architecture, Anbar University Journal of Humanities, Issue 1, March 2018.
  3. Al-Darraji, Saadi Ibrahim: Ancient Urban Landmarks in the Citadel of Kirkuk, Arab Scientific Heritage Journal, Issue 37, 2018.
  4. Al-Naqshbandi, Azad Mohammed Amin Kaka Sheikh: Tourism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (A Study on its Natural, Demographic, Economic, and Political Conditions), 1st ed., Arithria Publishing House, Amman, March 2023.
  5. Al-Tarawneh, Khalaf Faris et al., Zidan Rashid Khan Bradosti, Yadkar Mohammed Salim Arkoshi: Mazni Qishla, Rafidain Archaeology Journal, Vol. 5, Part 2, 2020.
  6. Bazama, Mohammed Mustafa, Benghazi Mutasarrif Fleek: History of Cyrenaica in the Second Ottoman Era, Arab-European Cultural Dialogue House, Vol. 3, Cyprus, 1994.
  7. Hassan, Behzad Helmi: Geographic Tourism Capabilities in Aqrah District (A Study in Tourism Geography), Unpublished MA Thesis, Department of Geography, College of Arts, Salahaddin University – Erbil, 2009.
  8. Khosrow, Armen Sarkis and Farah Ahmad Dhiab: The Impact of the Qishla on Urban Planning in Iraqi Cities, Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Karabük University, August 2021.
Kurdish References:

  1. Zidan Bradosti, A Field Study of Erbil Qishla, Subartu, a Scientific Journal on Archaeology and Heritage, Published by the Kurdistan Archaeologists Syndicate, Vol. 4-5, Summer 2011.
  2. Bradosti, Zidan Rashid Khan Awdel, The Art of Qishla Architecture in Erbil Governorate during the Ottoman Period, Salahaddin University Press / Erbil, 2018.
  3. Kordi, Jenky Zrar, Qushtapa Qishla, Kurdish Academic Journal, 2023.
  4. Waso, Luqman Omar, Touristic Geographical Potentials in Koya District, Shihab Printing Press – Erbil, 1st Edition, 2009.
Turkish References:

  1. Eroğlu Ömer, Ottoman Barracks in Erbil, Akra Journal of Culture, Art and Literature, 2021, Vol. 9.
  2. Düzenli Evrim & Halil İbrahim, Two Modern Constructions in Mardin: Mardin Qishla (1887–1891) and its Transformation into a Museum (2008–2009), Volume 11, Issue 30, Year 2020.
  3. SARINAY Yusuf and BUDAK Mustafa: Iraq in the Ottoman Era: Plans, Photos, and Documents, Republic of Turkey, Prime Ministry, General Directorate of State Archives, Ottoman Archive Department, Publication No. 83, Istanbul, p.158, undated.
  4. YAZICI, Nurcan, Samsun Symposium, 2011.
English References:

  1. Hassan, S.: Mahmur Qishla and Restoration, SUBARTU: A Scientific Journal on Archaeology and Heritage, Published by the Kurdistan Archaeology Syndicate, Vol. 1, Summer 2007.
Websites:

  1. http://wwwallafblogspotcom.blogspot.com – Accessed on 04/07/2022
  2. https://www.milliyet.com – Accessed on 18/08/2023
  3. http://jassimshallal.blogspot.com – Accessed on 13/09/2023
Personal Interviews:

  1. Sarkaft Amer Taj Al-Din, Head of Investigation and Archaeological Work Division, Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage – Aqrah, Interview conducted on 05/08/2023.
 

Field Visits:

  1. Visit to Koya Qishla on 19/09/2023
  2. Repeated visits to Erbil Qishla on 12/09/2023 and 27/10/2023
  3. Visit to Aqrah Qishla on 05/08/2023
Government Publications:

  1. Kurdistan Regional Government, Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism, Erbil Tourist Encyclopedia, Erbil Governorate Publications, 1st Edition, 2014.
Official Departments:

  1. Kurdistan Regional Government, Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism, Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage – Aqrah, Unpublished data on Aqrah Qishla, 2023.
Programs:

  1. Google Earth
Maps:

Kurdistan Regional Government, Ministry of Planning, Directorate of Planning and Follow-Up, GIS Section, Kurdistan Region Map 2018, Scale 1:1,000,000, Unpublished.

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