Samarra

Samarra is situated 120 km North of Baghdad between the river Tigris and the main North-South highway. As one approaches Samarra, the 52 meters tall spiral minaret, the city's landmark,  dominates the skyline.  Adjacent to it stand the massive walls of what once was the greatest mosque in the Arab world. The Askari, an important Shia shrine, is located in the center of the city.