KOYA’S ANCIENT CITADEL
By Rawaz Tahir

Kurdish Globe
sp?id=2FD594F476DE6EA58A06E2D7133821D1
July 30 2008
Iraq

The citadel of Koya,an important historical and archaeological site.

The citadel of Koya, one of the most important historical and
archaeological sites in Kurdistan, is located in eastern Koya town. Its
sheer size, geographical position, and its prime location on the hill
of Kakon showcase the citadel’s magnificent beauty.

There is no certifiable research documenting the citadel’s exact
history, only speculation. Kurdish intellectuals and historians hold
various opinions on its historical background; most say it was built
during the period of Mithat Pasha in the years 1869-72; others say
Soran Emirate constructed it. But the most accurate research says that
Mir Mihamad Bagi Romy built the citadel in the 15th century when the
ottomans were in power.

The citadel was built primarily for military purposes and to serve
as an important business center. "When the Iraqi government was
established in 1918, the English army used it [the citadel] as a
cavalry center," said Kurdish intellectual/poet Jala Jobar. Over
time it was used as a prison, and during the Armenian genocide in
1915 many Armenians fled to the citadel for safety. Famous Kurdish
poet Kakury was born there.

The citadel is constructed of four long walls made of big marble
stones carved from Bawaji Mountain. Each wall is approximately 100
meters long, 90 meters wide, and 85-90 centimeters thick; 12 concrete
grips steady the front wall of the citadel. Four huge posts dotted
with small holes, which were used to monitor the trading caravans
arriving from Asia, bind the walls together. "They installed artillery
throughout the posts; it was used as a place to shoot guns and arrows,"
said Jamal Fathula, a sociologist at Koya University.

Just inside the citadel is an extensive square with an ancient pool;
on the left hand of the square is the grave of a pious man, Bapir Faqi
Ahmed. The inside front is divided into several rooms that were used
as prisons during the Othman Empire, with one entire room dedicated
to exhibiting the citadel’s valuable treasures. A huge section of the
citadel was reconstructed in 2001, yet its unique outside appearance
reflects the same view as its original structure.