UNESCO completed the extensive rehabilitation of the House of Prayer next to Al-Saa'a Convent in Mosul, with the financial support of the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH) and in close cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities and the Dominican Order. The house will be a place dedicated to the local community.
UNESCO began the project in 2022, with initial efforts concentrated on clearing remnants of conflict and laying the groundwork for rehabilitation. By April 2023, it entered an active phase, focusing on the reconstruction and careful restoration of the House's architectural elements.
The rehabilitation extended beyond structural repairs, including the revamp of the House of Prayer’s interior design and modernization of its facilities to ensure historical integrity, necessary functionality and installation of eco-friendly elements enhancing the sustainability of the building, such as a solar panel system.
This ambitious task was undertaken by hundreds of Moslawis from all faiths, under the guidance of a joint committee from UNESCO, the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities and the Dominican Order. Amongst these workers were 10 unskilled or semi-skilled trainees and 25 young Moslawi architects and engineers.
Since its establishment in 1866, the Al-Saa'a Convent (Our Lady of the Hour) in Mosul has been a significant site of faith and community. It is a typical example of a traditional Mosuli house that includes a central courtyard, with the main spaces distributed around it.
It features many covered corridors and distinctive Mosul alabaster columns adorned with inscriptions. It also includes large basements, making the building's three floors available for use.
With financial support from ALIPH (USD 1.53M) and in close partnership with the Dominican Order, the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities and the French government, the restoration by UNESCO focused not only on the convent but also on the House of Prayer.
The House of Prayer held a crucial role within this sacred compound. It was used as the very first school for girls in Mesopotamia. Recently, this particular house experienced severe damage due to conflict, leading to structural collapse and the loss of invaluable heritage elements.
This project is part of UNESCO’s flagship initiative "Revive the Spirit of Mosul", launched in 2018 by Director-General Audrey Azoulay as a response to the recovery of one of Iraq's iconic cities. It reflects UNESCO's broader vision of fostering unity and resilience through support for cultural life and heritage restoration.
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