North of Baghdad, on the west bank of the Tigris River, Mosul is called the "City of Two Springs" because its autumn is like spring.
It's a fairly scenic, hilly town. Sites include a once impressive archaeological museum (like the Baghdad museum, it was looted in April 2003); the Umayyad, Djami, Mujahidi and Nurid mosques (unusual minarets); the Black Palace of Badr Ud Din Lulu; and numerous ancient churches. The view from the Bash Tapia Castle, set on a steep cliff overlooking the Tigris River, is wonderful.
225 mi/360 km northwest of Baghdad.