Koye

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The town Koy Sanjaq (Kurdish: Koyê or Koya, also known as Bijhenjar; Arabic: كوي سنجق‎, from Turkish Köy Sancak, meaning flag village) is located in the Erbil Governorate of South Kurdistan, close to the Iranian border. Most of the town was property of two families (the Hawezis and the Ghafuris) in the past, but later the Government took most of the land owned by the two families.

The town was originally called Bijhenjar by its Kurdish inhabitants, before being renamed to Koy Sanjaq by the Ottoman Turks. The Ottoman name also became used by the Kurdish population and transformed into Koyê over time.

Located between the Governorates of Erbil and Sulaimani, Koya is surrounded by the Bawaji and Haibat Sultan mountains. It is known as one of the most beautiful regions of Kurdistan. There are several tourist attractions in the city, including the shrines of Kosar, Janarook, Hamamouk, Jely Kadan, Koumet Tal,Nazanin, and Marbina Qadisha .

Wallace Lyon, travelling through the town in 1923, compared it to Sulaymaniyah and noted that it was a centre for tobacco. The governor at the time was Jamil Agha Hawezi, succeeding the late Hama Agha Ghafuri.

The city has an avarage population of 100.000 people. A specific variant of the Aramaic language, Koy Sanjaq Surat, a dialect of Aramaic spoken by about 1,000 Assyrians who settled in the town by the end of the 1800s.

Historians believe that Koya enjoyed a great prestige under the Gothera. The Assyrians and Medians also occupied Koya through the ages. The city is famous for its mosques, which were often also centers for studies of sciences and arts. Many scholars, poets and artists like Haji Qader Koyi, Awni, Dldar, Bakouri, Taher Tawfiq and others have been active here. Today, its academic reputation continues through the Koya University and is an important hub of culture in the region.

Koya Bazaar (qeysariya)

This is one the oldest bazaars (open markets) in the region, with shops and stands selling a wide variety of local products. Step through the ancient arched doorways and explore the alleyways that define history. The market is located in the center of the city.

Chwar Taqan

Located south of Koya city, Chwar Taqan was as a resting place and stopover for caravans travelling between Koya, Erbil, and Kirkuk. The District Commissioner of Koya renovated the ruins of Chwar Taqan in 2002. They include four great water jars used by the caravan travellers and their mules.

Shrine of Marbina Qadisha

Located northeast of the Harmoota village, 3 km away from Koya, is the shrine of Marbina Qadisha. Also known as ‘Marbina Behnam’, some believe that Mar Behnam and his sister Sara built this shrine. Others believe that a number of monks from Mosul were driven away and took refuge in the shrine during the Mongolian invasion of the city. To this date, people often visit this site on pilgrimages.

Qshla Koya

Qshla is located in the center of Koya City. Researchers differ on the date of its foundation. Some relate it to the Mamalik era while others believe it was constructed in the second half of the 19th century during the rule of the Ottoman Governor Midhat Pasha of Baghdad.

Sery Kusar Village

Sery Kusar is a village with resorts with pleasant temperatures in the summer. There are restaurants, hotels and recreational areas. It is just 4 km from Koya.

Taq Taq

Part of the Koya District, the region is renowned for its many gardens and enchanting natural surroundings. A small river passes through the city and it is very popular during spring as many use the site for picnics.

Chom Haidar

Chom Haidar is a renowned local oasis famous for its cool lake and natural greenery, many choose to picnic in the area and swim in the lake. Chom Haidar is located 21 km south of Koya and 101 km far from Erbil. It is a tourist and archeological region.