Al-Andalus Square

Updated October 31, 2025

## Al-Andalus Square, Baghdad: Orientation, public art, and how to visit

Location: 8C8G+5F4, Baghdad, Iraq (approx. 33.3153983, 44.4262165). This central junction is commonly mapped as Sāḥat al-Andalus.

### Why this square matters

Al-Andalus Square is a long-standing urban waypoint on Baghdad’s Rusafa side. Beyond being a traffic hub, it has served as a setting for civic life and large-scale public art—most notably “Timthal Baghdad” (Baghdad’s Statue) by the late sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, one of Iraq’s most celebrated modern artists.

### What you’ll see (and what may have changed)

– The Baghdad Statue (Timthal Baghdad): Designed by Mohammed Ghani Hikmat and inaugurated in 2013, the monument comprises a 13.5-meter column and a seated woman in Abbasid-era dress, with Arabic calligraphy from poetry by Mustafa Jamal al-Din running along the shaft. The work was placed at Al-Andalus Square and became one of central Baghdad’s tallest artworks.
– Possible relocation notice: A design archive focused on Iraqi architecture and typography notes that the monument was later transferred from Al-Andalus Square to “Museum Square” in the Al-Alawi area. Local sources differ on timing and current placement, so verify on the day if your goal is specifically to photograph the statue. in Iraq

> Outdated/contested data flagged: Some reputable references still list the statue at Al-Andalus Square, while others state it moved. The status may have changed after 2013; check recent, on-the-ground updates before your visit.

### Orientation: where Al-Andalus sits in the city

– Next to Al-Saadoun Park: Mapping datasets place Al-Saadoun Park directly adjacent to Sāḥat al-Andalus, making the park a practical green landmark to confirm you’re in the right place.
– Near Saadoun Street / hotel strip: The well-known Palestine (International) Hotel sits by Firdos Square off Saadoun Street, close to the Abu Nuwas riverside corridor; this cluster helps many travelers orient themselves when navigating to Al-Andalus. (Distances vary depending on route; think in terms of the same general central district.)

### Cultural context you’re likely to miss on quick tours

– Public art as civic memory: The Baghdad Statue was part of a program commissioning new monuments around 2010–2013, aiming to reassert Baghdad’s cultural identity after years of conflict. Hikmat’s choice of an Abbasid-garbed figure nods to Baghdad’s golden age, while the calligraphed poetry literally writes the city onto the piece. Even if the statue has moved, Al-Andalus Square’s association with it remains part of the city’s public-art map.

### Practical visit notes

– Access & hours: As an open public square, Al-Andalus is not a ticketed site. Some travel listings mark it open year-round (typical for public streetscapes), but note that such aggregator pages are not official notices. Treat the square as a normal Baghdad intersection/open space.
– Traffic & crossings: Academic fieldwork includes Al-Andalus among signalized intersections analyzed for pedestrian-safety performance—use formal crossings and allow extra time to navigate lanes.
– Pair your stop with a park break: If you need shade or a breather, Al-Saadoun Park borders the square; walkers often use it to cut noise and heat between street segments. (Amenities and maintenance levels vary over time.)
– Photography: Street photography is common around major avenues, but remain mindful of sensitive buildings and any posted restrictions; always ask before photographing people. (This is general best practice in Baghdad; there is no single citywide photographic statute cited at this specific square.)

### Nearby anchors for a short urban loop

– Abu Nuwas riverside corridor: The hotel and apartment cluster behind the Palestine Hotel is repeatedly described as being on Abu Nuwas Street, which runs along the Tigris. It’s a practical waypoint if you’re moving between riverfront and central junctions like Al-Andalus.
– Iraqi National Theatre (Karrada): The National Theatre (capacity ~1,000) is one of the country’s flagship stages and sits on the Karrada/Rusafa side. It’s not inside the square, but it’s within the broader central sphere many visitors cover in the same half-day. Check current programming if you’re planning an evening in the area. in Iraq

### Quick facts (for on-the-go notes)

– Name: Sāḥat al-Andalus / Al-Andalus Square
– Coordinates: ~33.3154, 44.4262 (plus code 8C8G+5F4)
– Character: Major urban junction / public space
– Signature artwork: Timthal Baghdad by Mohammed Ghani Hikmat (2010–2013; placement historically at Al-Andalus, with reports of a later move to Museum Square).
– Adjacent green space: Al-Saadoun Park

### Planning tips with accuracy in mind

– If your goal is photographing the Baghdad Statue: Double-check the current siting on the day you go. The artist’s official site and encyclopedic entries affirm Al-Andalus placement (historically), while a specialist design archive reports a move to Museum Square (Al-Alawi). This discrepancy is precisely the kind of change that can trip up guidebooks and old blogs.
– Use landmarks, not just the name: In a city with many squares and evolving traffic patterns, pairing the plus code (8C8G+5F4) with “next to Al-Saadoun Park” tends to yield better ride-hail and taxi results than using the square’s name alone.
– Expect live conditions to vary: Baghdad’s central districts are dynamic. Event schedules at major venues (e.g., the National Theatre) change, and temporary security perimeters can affect how you cross or photograph around large junctions. Always follow local guidance.

—

Sources & verification notes:
Coordinates and square identification: Sāḥat al-Andalus mapping entries.
Adjacency of Al-Saadoun Park to the square: municipal/open-map references.
Baghdad Statue details (artist, date, height, poetry, original siting at Al-Andalus): encyclopedic and artist-bio sources.
Report of the statue’s transfer to Museum Square (Al-Alawi): design/architecture archive. in Iraq
Intersection safety study including Al-Andalus: academic conference paper figure.
Context anchors (Palestine Hotel area; Abu Nuwas corridor; National Theatre location and capacity): hotel/encyclopedic and design sources.

> This guide avoids unverifiable claims (e.g., user-generated ratings or unofficial “hours”) and flags contested details about the statue’s current placement so you can plan with up-to-date local checks.

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Al-Andalus Square, Baghdad: Orientation, public art, and how to visit

Location: 8C8G+5F4, Baghdad, Iraq (approx. 33.3153983, 44.4262165). This central junction is commonly mapped as Sāḥat al-Andalus. oai_citation:0‡iq.geoview.info

Why this square matters

Al-Andalus Square is a long-standing urban waypoint on Baghdad’s Rusafa side. Beyond being a traffic hub, it has served as a setting for civic life and large-scale public art—most notably “Timthal Baghdad” (Baghdad’s Statue) by the late sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, one of Iraq’s most celebrated modern artists. oai_citation:1‡Wikipedia

What you’ll see (and what may have changed)

• The Baghdad Statue (Timthal Baghdad): Designed by Mohammed Ghani Hikmat and inaugurated in 2013, the monument comprises a 13.5-meter column and a seated woman in Abbasid-era dress, with Arabic calligraphy from poetry by Mustafa Jamal al-Din running along the shaft. The work was placed at Al-Andalus Square and became one of central Baghdad’s tallest artworks. oai_citation:2‡Wikipedia
• Possible relocation notice: A design archive focused on Iraqi architecture and typography notes that the monument was later transferred from Al-Andalus Square to “Museum Square” in the Al-Alawi area. Local sources differ on timing and current placement, so verify on the day if your goal is specifically to photograph the statue. oai_citation:3‡Designed in Iraq

Outdated/contested data flagged: Some reputable references still list the statue at Al-Andalus Square, while others state it moved. The status may have changed after 2013; check recent, on-the-ground updates before your visit. oai_citation:4‡Wikipedia

Orientation: where Al-Andalus sits in the city

• Next to Al-Saadoun Park: Mapping datasets place Al-Saadoun Park directly adjacent to Sāḥat al-Andalus, making the park a practical green landmark to confirm you’re in the right place. oai_citation:5‡iq.geoview.info
• Near Saadoun Street / hotel strip: The well-known Palestine (International) Hotel sits by Firdos Square off Saadoun Street, close to the Abu Nuwas riverside corridor; this cluster helps many travelers orient themselves when navigating to Al-Andalus. (Distances vary depending on route; think in terms of the same general central district.) oai_citation:6‡Wikipedia

Cultural context you’re likely to miss on quick tours

• Public art as civic memory: The Baghdad Statue was part of a program commissioning new monuments around 2010–2013, aiming to reassert Baghdad’s cultural identity after years of conflict. Hikmat’s choice of an Abbasid-garbed figure nods to Baghdad’s golden age, while the calligraphed poetry literally writes the city onto the piece. Even if the statue has moved, Al-Andalus Square’s association with it remains part of the city’s public-art map. oai_citation:7‡Wikipedia

Practical visit notes

• Access & hours: As an open public square, Al-Andalus is not a ticketed site. Some travel listings mark it open year-round (typical for public streetscapes), but note that such aggregator pages are not official notices. Treat the square as a normal Baghdad intersection/open space. oai_citation:8‡trip.com
• Traffic & crossings: Academic fieldwork includes Al-Andalus among signalized intersections analyzed for pedestrian-safety performance—use formal crossings and allow extra time to navigate lanes. oai_citation:9‡ResearchGate
• Pair your stop with a park break: If you need shade or a breather, Al-Saadoun Park borders the square; walkers often use it to cut noise and heat between street segments. (Amenities and maintenance levels vary over time.) oai_citation:10‡iq.geoview.info
• Photography: Street photography is common around major avenues, but remain mindful of sensitive buildings and any posted restrictions; always ask before photographing people. (This is general best practice in Baghdad; there is no single citywide photographic statute cited at this specific square.)

Nearby anchors for a short urban loop

• Abu Nuwas riverside corridor: The hotel and apartment cluster behind the Palestine Hotel is repeatedly described as being on Abu Nuwas Street, which runs along the Tigris. It’s a practical waypoint if you’re moving between riverfront and central junctions like Al-Andalus. oai_citation:11‡agoda.com
• Iraqi National Theatre (Karrada): The National Theatre (capacity ~1,000) is one of the country’s flagship stages and sits on the Karrada/Rusafa side. It’s not inside the square, but it’s within the broader central sphere many visitors cover in the same half-day. Check current programming if you’re planning an evening in the area. oai_citation:12‡Designed in Iraq

Quick facts (for on-the-go notes)

• Name: Sāḥat al-Andalus / Al-Andalus Square
• Coordinates: ~33.3154, 44.4262 (plus code 8C8G+5F4) oai_citation:13‡iq.geoview.info
• Character: Major urban junction / public space
• Signature artwork: Timthal Baghdad by Mohammed Ghani Hikmat (2010–2013; placement historically at Al-Andalus, with reports of a later move to Museum Square). oai_citation:14‡Wikipedia
• Adjacent green space: Al-Saadoun Park oai_citation:15‡iq.geoview.info

Planning tips with accuracy in mind

• If your goal is photographing the Baghdad Statue: Double-check the current siting on the day you go. The artist’s official site and encyclopedic entries affirm Al-Andalus placement (historically), while a specialist design archive reports a move to Museum Square (Al-Alawi). This discrepancy is precisely the kind of change that can trip up guidebooks and old blogs. oai_citation:16‡mohammedghani.com
• Use landmarks, not just the name: In a city with many squares and evolving traffic patterns, pairing the plus code (8C8G+5F4) with “next to Al-Saadoun Park” tends to yield better ride-hail and taxi results than using the square’s name alone. oai_citation:17‡iq.geoview.info
• Expect live conditions to vary: Baghdad’s central districts are dynamic. Event schedules at major venues (e.g., the National Theatre) change, and temporary security perimeters can affect how you cross or photograph around large junctions. Always follow local guidance. oai_citation:18‡Wikipedia

Sources & verification notes:
Coordinates and square identification: Sāḥat al-Andalus mapping entries. oai_citation:19‡iq.geoview.info
Adjacency of Al-Saadoun Park to the square: municipal/open-map references. oai_citation:20‡iq.geoview.info
Baghdad Statue details (artist, date, height, poetry, original siting at Al-Andalus): encyclopedic and artist-bio sources. oai_citation:21‡Wikipedia
Report of the statue’s transfer to Museum Square (Al-Alawi): design/architecture archive. oai_citation:22‡Designed in Iraq
Intersection safety study including Al-Andalus: academic conference paper figure. oai_citation:23‡ResearchGate
Context anchors (Palestine Hotel area; Abu Nuwas corridor; National Theatre location and capacity): hotel/encyclopedic and design sources. oai_citation:24‡Wikipedia

This guide avoids unverifiable claims (e.g., user-generated ratings or unofficial “hours”) and flags contested details about the statue’s current placement so you can plan with up-to-date local checks.