Firdos Square

Al-Firdos Square (Arabic: ساحة الفردوس, romanized: Sāḥat al-Firdaus) is a public open space in central Baghdad, Iraq. It is named after the Persian word Ferdows, which means "paradise". The site has been the location of several monumental artworks.

Al-Firdos Square
ساحة الفردوس
City square
Section of Firdos Square in foreground, with Ramadan Mosque behind (2003).
LocationAl-Sadoon Street and Abu-Nuw'as Street, Al-Rusafa quarter
Baghdad, Iraq
Coordinates: 33°18′52.68″N 44°25′14.43″E

Al-Firdos Square is located in the middle of al-Sa'doun Street and between Tahrir and Kahramana squares and in front of the 17th of Ramadan Mosque. The square is also located opposite the Abu Nawas Street which overlooks the Tigris River. The two of the best-known hotels in Baghdad, the Palestine Hotel and the Sheraton Ishtar, are located on the square.

The square is rather infamous for the toppling of the Statue of former-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein during the US-led invasion of Iraq. The image of the toppling was shown across the world and became a symbol of western victory in Iraq. At the same time, became a symbol of American Propaganda. The square is also the site of the killing of two journalists in the Palestine Hotel on the 8th of April.

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