Tikrit Travel Guide

Destroyed in the War, it has recently been repaired and now carries significant amounts of area traffic across the Tigris River. If and when you drive across it you won't be able to miss the hulking mass of Sadam's Palace, supposedly built for his dear Mama, on the bluff.

An artificial lake fed by water pumped from the nearby Tigris River. One of three such lakes built amongst Saddam Hussein's many palaces in Tikrit. Just the place for a weekend picnic. The pavilion at the artifical waterfall is recommended

If Iraq is poor now, Sadam is to blame. He lavished money on his hometown of Tikrit. At Tikrit, on the bluffs above the Tigris River, is a fantastic series of gaudy palaces. The location is beautiful, but you get the impression that the architects worked at the whim of Sadam. The designof the palaces, and there are many of them, though very large, are confused. Th eemphasis was on marble and chandaliers rather than quality. Post-war looting emptied them of what was no doubt 'Dictator-Kitsch' furniture, though a few pieces of faux-Louis XV are to be seen.

War damage is very evident in some of the structures. Those not over-damaged are now occupied by the US Army. I'm sure the new Iraqi army will take over when we leave, but you may be able to get into the area in the meantime. If not, the view from across the river, rural Iraq, is just as good.