Zakho

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Zakho (Kurdish: Zaxo‎, ; زاخۆ, Arabic: زاخو‎; Hebrew: זאכו‬; Turkish: Zaho, Armenian: Զախո; Syriac: ܙܵܟ̣ܘ̇‎; Zākhō) is a city in Iraq, at the centre of the eponymous Zakho District of the Dohuk Governorate of Iraqi Kurdistan, located a few kilometers from the Iraqi–Turkish border. The city has a population of 350,000.

It may have originally begun on a small island surrounded on all sides by the Little Khabur river, which flows through the modern city. The Khabur flows west from Zakho to form the border between Iraq and Turkey, continuing into the Tigris. The most important rivers in the area are the Zeriza, Seerkotik and the aforementioned Little Khabur.

In July 2010, Zakho became the seat of the University of Zakho: one of only eleven public universities in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

There is a small Armenian comunity of nearly 1170 people living in the Dohuk city.

The town of Zakho was known to the ancient Greeks. In 1844. the traveller William Francis Ainsworth commented: "The appearance of Zakho in the present day coincides in a remarkable manner with what it was described to be in the time of Xenophon."

Gertrude Bell was convinced that Zakho was same place as the ancient town of Hasaniyeh. She also reported that the first Christian missionary to the region, the Dominican monk Poldo Soldini, was buried there in 1779. His grave was still a pilgrimage destination in the 1950s.

Due to its strategic location and the abundance of job opportunities, Zakho has attracted many workers and job seekers from different parts of Iraq and even from Syria and Turkey.

It may have originally begun on a small island surrounded on all sides by the Little Khabur river, which flows through the modern city. The Khabur flows west from Zakho to form the border between Iraq and Turkey, continuing into the Tigris. The most important rivers in the area are the Zeriza, Seerkotik and the aforementioned Little Khabur.

In July 2010 Zakho became the seat of the University of Zakho. The university is one of the eleven public universities of Kurdistan Region.

Zakho has a diocese of Chaldea. It corresponds to the ancient Diocese of Maalta, formerly a suffragan of Adiabene or Arbela. Some Nestorian bishops are mentioned from the fifth to the seventh century (Chabot, "Synodicon orientale", 676). It was reunited with the dioceses of Akra and Amadia until the middle of the nineteenth century, when the province was divided into three dioceses: Amadia, Zakho, and Akra-Zehbar. The diocese comprises 3500 Catholics, ten resident priests, five religious of the Congregation of St. Hormisdas, fifteen parishes or stations, twenty churches and chapels, and one primary school.

Zakho is also known for its mineral springs, which locals believe have medicinal properties.

Dalal Bridge
Dalal Bridge, or Pira Dalal in Kurdish, is an ancient stone bridge that spans the Khabour River in the town of Zakho. With a height of over 16 meters, the picturesque bridge was built using large river stones. In spring, many people visit the bridge and river to relax and picnic.


Sharanish
About 40 km northeast of Zakho, Sharanish is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by woodland. Temperatures never exceed more than 32C, making it a great place to visit during hot summer months.

Kishani
Kishani lies just 37 km east of Zakho and is known for its greenery and streams. Consistently cool during the summer, Kishani is a popular picnic spot for tourists and families.

Bhere Cave
Bhere Cave lies about 45 km northeast of Zakho and 5 km from the Sharanish resort. A small stream flows through the cave, which visitors can freely explore before heading to nearby Qasrok and Dashta Tkhi parks.

Happy Theme Park
The biggest amusement park in Zakho, Happy is a modern theme park that provides a range of attractions for children and adults alike. Nestled in a scenic landscape, attractions include lakes, fountains, outdoor rides, indoor play areas, restaurants and a 5D cinema.

Shlin and Shilan
Shlin and Shilan is a cool, shady area known for its views, scenery and cool rivers.

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