When planning a visit to Schaqlawa, several themes can be clearly distinguished: local trade, religious sites, and historic memorial sites. The bazaar, the Rabban-Buya Shrine carved into the rock, and the Grand Mosque represent different aspects of the town. When choosing what to focus on, you can weigh the bustle of the market against cultural heritage.
Markets, Memorial Sites, and Religious Architecture
The Schaqlawa bazaar is a local market with shops and commercial activity. The Companions’ Cemetery offers a different point of interest tied to the area: it lies on the slope of Mount Sefin and is cited as one of Schaqlawa’s attractions.
The Rabban-Buya Shrine in Schaqlawa, also known as Sheikh Waso Rahman, consists of several rooms carved into the rock. An account published in 2022 dates the construction of the Grand Mosque of Schaqlawa to 639 AD. The rock chambers shape the architectural description of the shrine, while the date gives the mosque a historical point of reference.
Two Differently Described Sections of the Route
A 2017 account of the route to the Rabban-Buya Shrine distinguishes between two sections: the first half was paved for pilgrims and visitors, making it easier to walk; the second is described as simple and rudimentary. For planning purposes, it is worth considering the two sections separately, since the improvement applies only to the first half.
Shaqlawa as a Broader Landscape and Cultural Area
In the broader destination of Shaqlawa, Shaqlawa District lies at the foot of Mount Safeen in a wide valley covered with dense forests and orchards. This landscape setting offers a different focus from specific cultural sites: it draws attention to the wider district and its scenery.
In the broader destination of Shaqlawa, the Raban Boya Shrine is a pilgrimage site, particularly for Christian and Muslim women who ask the saint Boya to grant their wish to have children. Spring, before and after Easter, is a busy pilgrimage period there; the Raban Boya festival in Shaqlawa is also celebrated one week after Easter. The festival has a specific date after Easter, while the pilgrimage period covers a broader part of the season.
The shrine continues to be maintained as a mausoleum and houses revered relics of several holy monks, including those of the monk Boya. The shrine also contains a large, rectangular, polished, sloping stone known as the “fertility stone” or “wishing stone.”
The Church of the Virgin Mary stands within the walled religious compound that visitors pass through on their way to the Raban Boya Shrine. It was probably built in 1930 and was renovated in 1992, after the Kurdish no-fly zone north of the 36th parallel was established. The cemetery next to the church was also renovated. An account published in 2017 describes funeral services as the church’s predominant use at that time.
Dwin Castle is also located in Shaqlawa District and is considered a historic military castle. It adds another historical point of reference to the religious focus.
Discover more destinations: Pirmam.
Back to the broader travel overview: Shaqlawa.
