ALQOSH (IshtarTV.com) – “Alqosh Ateqta” (Old Alqosh) is situated halfway up the slope of Mount Alqosh in the northern Nineveh Plains, standing out as a prominent heritage and folkloric landmark. It embodies the authentic Chaldean architectural and social identity of the historic town of Alqosh, evoking the daily lifestyle and traditional stone architecture experienced by our ancestors over the centuries.
The concept of establishing and constructing the village of “Alqosh Ateqta” dates back to late 2018 when Alqoshi artist Dani Asmaro initiated and supervised the project. Following three months of continuous work, it was officially opened on the morning of December 21, 2018, amidst a broad ecclesiastical, administrative, and cultural presence led by His Grace Bishop Mar Mikhael Al-Maqdasi, alongside a select group of poets, intellectuals, and townspeople. The opening ceremony featured the blessing of bread dough and its distribution to the homes of the town in accordance with inherited Alqoshi traditions.
According to the project organizers and local coverage from the Alqosh parish, the village was initially designed as an integrated heritage set for filming scenes of a historical movie about Saint Mar Mikha of Nuhadra. The saint had traveled to Alqosh, lived there, and founded the first school bearing his name, which still stands today. Over time, “Alqosh Ateqta” evolved into an open-air museum and a living model depicting the features of the old town, its folkloric homes, and its stone alleys.
The site reflects precise details of ancient Alqoshi life, ranging from construction using local limestone and vaulted arches to traditional household and agricultural tools, as well as popular rituals associated with baking, farming, and handicrafts. This authenticity has made it a primary location for filming television and documentary programs, alongside folkloric musical works in the Surith language. Notably, this includes heritage episodes broadcasted on Ishtar TV that documented tales of authenticity among its alleys.
In addition to its tourism and cultural dimension, “Alqosh Ateqta” has become a destination for visitors, researchers, and delegations arriving in the Nineveh Plains. Its name is also regularly featured in local community and sporting events in the town, ensuring it remains a living witness that connects new generations to their civilizational and linguistic roots in Alqosh.
