Samarra served as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate from 836 to 892 CE and is renowned for its iconic Great Mosque with the distinctive spiral minaret, the Malwiya Tower. The city holds profound significance for Shia Muslims as it houses the golden-domed shrines of the 10th and 11th Imams, Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari. This UNESCO World Heritage site represents one of the finest examples of early Islamic architecture and remains a major pilgrimage destination for Muslims worldwide.