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It lies in the middle of Erbil city. It has a round shape with its buildings and dwellings; 30 m high. It dates back to over 6000 years BC. Hundreds of families live on the Citadel; there are 506 houses distributed over three quarters (Sarai Q., Takya Q. & Top khana Q.). They were built in artistic styles of architecture, particularly the houses of (Hashim Dabbagh Agha, Mulla Salim Chalabi, Ahmad Chalabi, Sheikh Jameel Ali Afandi, Haji Rasheed Agha). Additionally, there are the Great Mosque and Citadel Bath built in 1775 AD.

The Citadel was famous for having most of the idols and was a centre for heroic deeds by the modern civilization figures; also, it was well-known as Defeated Holako's Castle. However, normal life is still ongoing in the Citadel. As discovered by archaeologists, the Citadel holds many significant remains of various historical races; 5000 year-old relics can be found within its inside parts, but have not yet been researched fully.

Shanider Cave is located in Bradost Mountain, about 2 km from Shanider Village on the latitude 36.5 northwards; and longitude 44.20 eastwards; height: 2500 ft.above the sea level. The cave has an arched aperture which is looking down upon the Upper Zab. Its floor is even; its area is about 11.700 ft.

Neanderthal man lived the cave about 50.000 to 70.000 years Before Christ (B.C.). Inside the cave there are remains of the bones of various animals, which prove that it was dwelt by wild animals.

The first visit to the cave wasdone by Soliky in 1951. In hisexpeditions, Soliky discovered that there werecategories in the cave: (A, B, C, & D) which represent 4 different cultures. The Category D produced an ancient guide for nine skeletons, (two of them were children; the rest were adults. The explorer called them Shanidar.

However the expeditions of Madam Arlet Lerwa that the man of Shanidar was very fond of flowers. He mixed flowers with pine weeds and made a laurel (for the first time prehistorically).

He set it on the grave of Shanidar No.IV. This is an example of the first laurel which goes back o 60.000 (sixty thousand years.

Located over a valley with the same name, the monastery, an hour climb from the public road, overlooks Shaqlawa sub-district.

This is not like other shrines, being very much organised. It was used to be a refuge for a group of monks.

The track leading to it is rough and strenuous; however, it is visited by people round the year.

Down the entrance, there are two large engraved rooms, leading up to a wide gate as the front part of the wall has collapsed.

Khanzad Castle lies on Erbil-Shaqlawa road and is one of the archaeological sites in the city of Erbil. It dates back to Soran Principality period when Princes ruled (Sulaiman Beg and Princess Khanzad) in Soran district whose capital was Rawandooz then.

n the medial rule of Abbasids, there had been a small emirate in the mountainous area, to the east of Erbil City. It was established by the princes of Zarzariya Tribe. Its castle "Deween Castle" was considered to be the greatest and most famous in the region. The emirate was the main center for political entities in the area. The castle is located on the top of a mountain, looking down upon a great river.

The princes of this emirate are believed to be the affiliates of "Shadi Bin Marwan", who was the chief of Rawand Tribe, who were residing the village close to Deween Castle. He was one of the grandfathers of Salahaddin Al-Ayyoubi.

Above this wall, there is a small niche a around which a fable revolves - anyone who succeeds in throwing seven small stones, and having them pass through all, they would attain what is desired. It dates back to the fourth century AD.

The minaret was built under Sultan Mudhaffaruddeen. It dates back to 543-586 AD, to the west of Erbil city.

It has octagonal curves rising to 14.5 m. The spiral Minaret ful l height is 21.5 m. Pecul iarly splendid kufi calligraphy can be seen; the names of Muhammed and Mas'oudi Muhammadi the builder of the minaret were inscribed.