About
The Iraq National Museum, also known as the Baghdad Museum, is an archaeological museum in the Karkh District of Baghdad, Iraq. It is devoted to the material culture of Mesopotamia, the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers often described as the cradle of early civilization.
What you will see
The museum's collection covers artifacts from the Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian periods, spanning around 5,000 years of history. Visitors can follow that long sweep of time through objects that show how the peoples of this land lived, worked, worshipped and governed.
- Sumerian objects, from some of the earliest cities in the region
- Babylonian material, reflecting the later kingdoms of southern Mesopotamia
- Assyrian treasures, from the northern centres of power
Planning your visit
The museum is a natural first stop for anyone interested in ancient Near Eastern history, and it gives useful context for the archaeological sites found across Iraq. Because it is a large collection, allow time to move slowly through the galleries rather than rushing from room to room.
For current visiting arrangements, you can call the museum on +964 1 416 9045 before you travel. Confirming details directly is the best way to plan a trip that suits you.
In the area
The museum sits in Baghdad, a city with a long and layered past that stretches back to the ancient world. Pairing a museum visit with time spent exploring the city's streets and neighbourhoods makes for a fuller picture of the region's history and everyday life.