Virtual Tours of Iraqi Mosques
Explore Iraq's magnificent mosques and shrines through immersive 360° panoramic tours
Experience Sacred Spaces Virtually
Our virtual tours provide a unique opportunity to explore Iraq's most significant mosques and shrines from anywhere in the world. Using high-resolution 360° panoramic photography and interactive elements, these tours allow viewers to experience the architectural splendor and spiritual atmosphere of these sacred spaces.
Navigate through different areas of each mosque, zoom in on intricate details, and learn about the historical and architectural significance of these remarkable buildings. Each tour includes informative hotspots that provide context and background information.
360° Panoramas
Immersive views that allow you to look in every direction
Interactive Hotspots
Click on points of interest to learn more about architectural features
High-Resolution Images
Zoom in to see intricate details and craftsmanship
Multiple Viewpoints
Navigate between different areas of each mosque
Featured Virtual Tours
Explore our most popular immersive mosque tours
Architectural Focus Tours
Specialized virtual tours highlighting unique architectural elements
Tours by Historical Era
Explore mosques grouped by historical period
Early Islamic Period (7th-9th Century)
Experience the earliest preserved Islamic architectural heritage in Iraq, dating from the first centuries of Islam. These mosques typically feature simple hypostyle prayer halls, open courtyards, and minimal decoration.
Abbasid Period (9th-13th Century)
Explore the golden age of Islamic architecture in Iraq, when Baghdad was the center of the Islamic world. Abbasid mosques are characterized by innovative brick construction, distinctive minarets, and the development of muqarnas (honeycomb vaulting).
Ottoman Period (16th-Early 20th Century)
Discover the Ottoman architectural influence on Iraqi mosques, which brought new styles from Turkey while maintaining local traditions. Ottoman mosques typically feature central domes, pencil-shaped minarets, and elaborate tile decoration.
Modern Period (20th-21st Century)
Experience contemporary Islamic architecture in Iraq, which blends traditional elements with modern construction techniques and materials. Modern mosques often reinterpret historical forms while addressing contemporary functional requirements.
How to Use Our Virtual Tours
Navigation Controls
- Mouse: Click and drag to look around
- Touch: Swipe to rotate the view
- Zoom: Scroll or pinch to zoom in/out
- Movement: Click on direction arrows or doorways to move between areas
Information Hotspots
- Hotspots: Click on circular icons to view information about specific features
- Audio: Click on speaker icons to hear narration (where available)
- Gallery: Click on camera icons to see detailed photos
- Historical: Clock icons provide historical information
Tour Controls
- Fullscreen: Click the expand icon for immersive viewing
- Guided Tour: Use the play button for automated tours
- Floor Plan: Click the map icon to see layout and your position
- Menu: Access different viewpoints from the dropdown menu
Accessibility Features
- Keyboard Navigation: Use arrow keys to look around
- Tab Navigation: Tab through interactive elements
- Screen Reader Support: All information is accessible
- Text Size: Use browser zoom for larger text
Technology Behind Our Virtual Tours
Our virtual tours use state-of-the-art technology to create immersive, educational experiences of Iraq's most significant mosques. Each tour involves careful photography, digital processing, and interactive programming to ensure an accessible and engaging experience.
Creation Process
- High-resolution photography using specialized 360° cameras at multiple locations within each mosque
- Digital stitching of images to create seamless panoramic views
- HDR processing to capture the full range of light and color, especially important for capturing interior details in varying lighting conditions
- Addition of interactive elements including informational hotspots, navigation points, and multimedia content
- Historical research to ensure accurate and educational content
- Optimization for different devices and internet connection speeds
Technical Specifications
- 360° panoramas with resolution up to 16,000 x 8,000 pixels
- WebGL-based rendering for smooth performance across devices
- Progressive loading for faster initial display
- Responsive design that adapts to all screen sizes
- Compatible with virtual reality headsets for enhanced immersion
Educational Use
Our virtual tours serve as valuable educational resources
For Students
Our virtual tours provide immersive learning experiences for students studying Islamic art, architecture, history, and religious studies. They allow students to explore spaces they may not be able to visit physically.
Student ResourcesFor Educators
Teachers can use our virtual tours in the classroom to illustrate concepts in Islamic studies, art history, religious education, and cultural studies. We provide lesson plans and teaching guides to support educational use.
Teacher ResourcesFor Researchers
Architectural historians, archaeologists, and scholars of Islamic studies can use our detailed virtual tours for research purposes, allowing close examination of architectural elements and decorative features.
Research AccessFor Cultural Preservation
Our digital documentation of these important historical and religious sites serves an important role in cultural preservation, creating detailed records of these buildings for future generations.
Preservation InitiativesEnhanced VR Experience
Take your virtual tour experience to the next level with our VR compatibility. Use a virtual reality headset to immerse yourself completely in these magnificent spaces.
Compatible Devices
- Oculus Quest / Meta Quest
- HTC Vive
- Valve Index
- Simple smartphone-based VR viewers
Our VR mode adds depth perception and allows for more intuitive navigation, creating a stronger sense of presence within these sacred spaces.
VR Setup Guide
Request a Virtual Tour
Is there a particular Iraqi mosque or shrine you'd like to see featured in our virtual tours? Let us know, and we'll consider adding it to our production schedule.
Submit Tour RequestFrequently Asked Questions
No, our virtual tours run directly in your web browser without any additional software. We recommend using an up-to-date version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge for the best experience. For VR functionality, you will need a compatible VR headset and browser that supports WebVR or WebXR.
Yes, all our virtual tours are fully responsive and work on smartphones and tablets. On mobile devices, you can navigate by swiping on the screen to look around and tapping on hotspots for information. For the best experience on mobile, we recommend using your device in landscape orientation.
Our reconstructed mosque tours are created based on extensive historical research, archaeological evidence, architectural plans, historical photographs, and consultations with experts. While we strive for historical accuracy, some details may involve informed interpretation where evidence is limited. We clearly label all reconstructed elements and provide information about the historical sources used.
Yes, our virtual tours are free to use for non-commercial educational purposes. Teachers and educators are welcome to use them in classrooms and for educational activities. We provide special resources for educators, including lesson plans and teaching guides, which can be accessed in the Educational Resources section. For institutional or commercial use, please contact us for permission.
We aim to add new virtual tours quarterly, depending on access, resources, and production time. Creating a comprehensive virtual tour requires significant on-site photography, processing time, research, and development. You can subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when new tours are released. We also welcome suggestions for future tour locations through our Request a Tour form.