Shafaq News- Karbala
The 1,500-year-old Al-Aqiser Church, one of Iraq's oldestsurviving Christian churches, has been placed on Iraq's list of priorityrestoration sites as climate change and years of neglect continue to accelerateits deterioration.
During a 2025 inspection, a technical committee from Iraq'sMinistry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities classified the church amongarchaeological sites requiring emergency conservation, although restorationwork still depends on the allocation of government funding, according to theKarbala Antiquities and Heritage Directorate.
Al-Aqiser stands within a sprawling walled monastery in Ainal-Tamr district, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Karbala and roughly 5kilometers from the historic Al-Ukhaidir Fortress. Archaeologists date thechurch to the late fifth or early sixth century AD, making it one of Iraq'searliest surviving basilica-style churches. Its entrance is marked bydistinctive oval arches, while the surrounding monastery stretches acrossnearly 15,000 square meters and is protected by defensive towers.
Ahmed Hassan Jaber, director of the Karbala Antiquities andHeritage Directorate, told Shafaq News that the complex requires excavation,restoration, and rehabilitation before it can become a fully recognizedarchaeological and tourist destination.
: Iraqis long for the world's oldest churches and temples
Years of limited funding have prevented any large-scaleconservation work, he said, adding that authorities managed to install aprotective fence around the monastery and the surrounding archaeologicalsettlement in 2023 to reduce encroachment, “but the site has suffered repeateddamage since 2003, when looters dug into burial grounds east of the complexbefore security forces intervened.”
The main church, built from stone and plaster, measuresabout 42 meters (138 feet) in length and 9 meters in width. It sits inside afortified compound that also includes monks' cells, residential quarters, asmall funerary church, and service buildings, according to Dr. Muntasir Sabahal-Hasnawi, director general of the Conference Palace at the Ministry ofCulture, Tourism and Antiquities.
“A dry valley cuts through the archaeological complex, whilenearby seasonal water sources are believed to have influenced the monastery'soriginal location centuries ago,” he told Shafaq News, pointing out that due toits location in the western desert, Al-Aqiser is exposed to risingtemperatures, stronger solar radiation, declining rainfall, and frequent duststorms, all of which have accelerated the deterioration of its fragilestructure
Al-Hasnawi said sharp temperature swings between day andnight are causing the greatest damage, as repeated expansion and contractioncrack the stone and gradually loosen sections of the wall. Wind carrying sandand dust steadily erodes exposed surfaces, while chemical weathering continuesto weaken plaster and clay elements throughout the complex. Illegal excavationsand the site's use during years of conflict have added to the deterioration.
Beyond its architectural value, Al-Aqiser offers a rareglimpse into Iraq's pre-Islamic Christian heritage. The monastery is associatedwith the Lakhmid Kingdom of al-Hira, the Arab Christian state that ruled partsof Mesopotamia before the rise of Islam. Syriac inscriptions and carved crossesremain visible on sections of the walls, reflecting the region'slong-established Christian presence centuries before Iraq became predominantlyMuslim.
“Preserving the church will require more than repairingdamaged walls,: He called for drainage projects to divert rainwater, protectivemeasures against flooding and wind erosion, and the creation of green belts toslow the movement of desert sand.
The church is only one of several archaeological landmarksin Ain al-Tamr. Nearby attractions, including Al-Ukhaidir Fortress, the Al-TarCaves, and Shimun Palace, could form the basis of a broader heritage tourismroute if roads, visitor facilities, and basic services were developed.
: Christians of Iraq: Where did they go?