About the Project

Hosh Al-Bay'ah is a historic Christian compound in Mosul, Iraq, home to the renowned Al-Tahira Churches. The name "Hosh" means courtyard or compound in Arabic, while "Al-Bay'ah" refers to the church. This sacred complex has served as a spiritual and cultural center for Mosul's Christian community for over 150 years, housing the Al-Tahira Orthodox Church (1895 CE), the Al-Tahira Catholic Church (1862 CE), and the historic Tahdhib School. The name "Al-Tahira," meaning "The Pure," honors the Virgin Mary and represents the enduring Christian heritage of Nineveh.

Our mission is to digitally preserve the Al-Tahira Orthodox Church (established 1895 CE) and the Al-Tahira Catholic Church (established 1862 CE) through advanced photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and virtual reality technologies. These historic churches in Mosul have witnessed centuries of history and survived numerous challenges, making their documentation crucial for future generations.

This project is led by a dedicated team of students from the University of Mosul located in Nineveh, Iraq, working alongside international heritage preservation specialists to create detailed digital records of these invaluable cultural landmarks.

Team Members

Adil Al Qaba

Adil Al Qaba

Software Engineer

Hussein Yaseen

Hussein Yaseen

3D Heritage Technician

Somaya Al Saffar

Somaya Al Saffar

Archaeology Student

Partner Organizations

PIH Education

Project Innovation Hub (PIH) is a DAAD-funded online collaborative learning platform that enables students from MENA (Middle East and North Africa) crisis regions to participate in higher education and research in Germany. The platform focuses on digitalization of cultural heritage, using cutting-edge technologies like photogrammetry, laser-scanning, and 3D-modeling to preserve endangered heritage sites.

Heritage Iraq

A comprehensive platform focused on preserving and showcasing Iraq's diverse heritage sites through digital documentation and interactive experiences.

Why This Heritage Matters

  • Represents Iraq's rich Christian heritage and religious diversity
  • Architectural masterpieces showcasing 19th-century ecclesiastical design
  • Survived decades of conflict and displacement in the Nineveh region
  • Part of Mosul's cultural identity and interfaith history
  • Houses significant religious artifacts, artwork, and architectural details
  • Serves as a testament to the resilience of Iraq's diverse communities

Project Scope

The digitalization project encompasses the Al-Tahira Orthodox Church, the Al-Tahira Catholic Church, and associated structures including the historic Tahdhib School. Through high-resolution 3D scanning and photogrammetry, we are creating detailed virtual models that capture the intricate architectural details, religious artwork, and spatial relationships of these sacred spaces.