Hillah
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WARNING: Travel to Iraq is advised against by most governments. Hillah is safer than the western or central areas of Iraq, but even here it is important to always remain cautious at all times. If it is necessary to visit, consult your embassy before you leave. For further information, see war zone safety. |
Government travel advisories
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| (Information last updated 27 Feb 2019) |
Hillah is in Southern Iraq. It is the capital of Babylon Province and has a population of about 970,000.
Understand
Hillah is the nearest city to the ruins of Babylon.
Get in
Hillah has a station on the railway between Baghdad and Basra. Iraqi Republic Railways runs two overnight trains which both calls here. The railway station is known as 1 Babylon railway station and is located north of the city centre.
There are several companies offering long-distance bus services from most cities in Southern Iraq, however information on routes and departure times has to be gathered on ground or by a travel agency. 2 Hillah bus station, often referred as the consolidated garage (الكراج الموحد) is located along highway 8, about four kilometers southwest of the city centre.
Driving distance from Baghdad is about 110 km. Hillah is along national highway 8. There has been instances of robberies and kidnappings along the route.
Get around
See
- 1 Great Mosque of Hillah. Constructed in 1713 AD during the Ottoman era.
- 2 Radd Al Shams Mosque.
- 3 Al-Nukhailah Mosque (In the village of Al-Kifl. 25 km southwest of Hillah, along the road to Najaf). A mosque and temple complex containing the tomb of Dhul-Kifl, by some considered being the same person as Ezekiel, central protagonist of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible.
- 4 Borsippa (10 km southeast of Hillah). An archaeological site with one of the most recognizable surviving ziggurats, built by the Sumero-Akkadian culture to honour local god Nabu.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Babylon Hotel.