The arch
Pointed over the river.
Levi Clancy — CC0 · Levi Clancy — CC0 · Khoshhat — CC BY 4.0 · Khoshhat — CC BY 4.0 · Khoshhat — CC BY 4.0
Delal Bridge is an old stone bridge over the Khabur river in the town of Zakho, in the far north of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is about 115 metres long and 16 metres high, and it is the town's symbol and best-known sight, so much so that people call the town Zakho Delal. A bridge is believed to have first stood here in Roman times, while the present structure appears to date from the Abbasid era. Its Kurdish name means beautiful bridge, in the sense of something unique. A folk tale links it to a young woman named Delal who, the story says, gave her life so the bridge would stand, and it took her name. The bridge rises in one great pointed arch over the river, and you climb it by steep stone steps from either side. From the top you see the water and rocks below and the town around you. Gardens and cafés line both banks, and families come from all over the region for outings, above all on spring and summer evenings. Central Zakho is about 1.4 km away in a straight line, and Duhok about 38 km. Take care on the climb, since the stones are smooth and there is no railing. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to this area, so check official guidance before planning.
Pointed over the river.
Gardens and cafés.
Family outings.
Over the Khabur river, Zakho, Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Yes, on its stone steps, with care.
In the evening, when the banks fill with people and lights.