
Address:
Minaret Park, Erbil, Iraq
Client:
Governorate Erbil, Czech Technical University
Description of the work:
Expert assessment of the condition of the monument
Realization:
2025
Legislative changes in the responsibility for this historical monument led to a certain neglect of the monitoring of this monument. A measurement, carried out by technicians from Salahaddin University in Erbil in January 2025, highlighted the possibility of a risk of the minaret’s rising tilt. Therefore, a geodetic and restoration survey, carried out by a team from the photogrammetry laboratory of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University and GEMA ART in May 2025, was carried out at the urgent request of the Directorate of Heritage Protection and the Governorate of Erbil.
This geodetic and restoration survey, first of all, refuted the fears of the local authorities about the increase in the inclination of the body of the minaret, and at the same time confirmed, the quality of the work of GEMA ART, that this monument, sixteen years after the completion of the works of the “Stabilization and conservation of the Minaret of Choli” project, is in excellent condition. So, the final report, in addition to information on the current condition of the monument, recommended aftercare, disposal of weeds, cleaning of the drainage system, repair of roof windows and continuous monitoring of the minaret leaning.
For this purpose, the minaret restoration project and the methodology for monitoring the minaret body using photogrammetry were presented at Rizgari Hall, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Salahaddin University. At the same time, during the on-site work, practical training of persons responsible for the future care of the minaret took place.