The world's largest graveyard exists for more than 1,400 years

Wadi us-Salaam 'Peaceful valley', is a Muslim graveyard in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, with an area of ​​more than 6 km2, it is also considered the largest graveyard in the world.

Explore the world's largest graveyard that survived more than 1,400 years

Najaf is one of Iraq 's largest cities with a population of up to 600,000. Wadi Al-Salam graveyard in Najaf city is a graveyard that has existed for more than 1,400 years, is also the oldest place in the world.

Wadi Al-Salam plays an important role in the religion of the Shiites . Supposedly the final resting place of faithful souls of men and women. Many prophets, princes and kings of Muslim countries are also buried in the graveyard, including prophets Hud, Saleh and Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr as well as Prince Ali Ibn Abi Talib. .

Wadi Al-Salam consists of many tombs built with mortar and fired bricks , of different heights and each tomb is built in a different style.

There are also many tombs built underground , when you want to go down to the tunnel, you must go by the ladder. The tombs built from 1930 to 1940 have a separate architecture, with a height of more than 3m, with round tops.

During the 2003 Iraq War, Iraqi warriors used the cemetery to hide and approach the garrison of the enemy. The US military cannot access this area because of many winding roads and many underground tombs . Only local gunmen who were well versed in the roads often attacked guerrillas and fled, hiding in graves.

Violence occurred in Iraq since 2003 and led to the expansion of cemeteries, an estimated 40% increase in the graveyard. Wadi Al-Salam expanded gradually since 2004, first after the conflicts with the US military, then the 2006-2007 faction wars when the Shiites and Sunnis were massacred. By 2008 were battles with Iraqi troops . However, in recent years the number of deaths has decreased significantly.