Samarra in Travelogues

Samarra’ is a city of pilgrimage in Iraq which was constructed in third century after Hijrah by Mu`tasim Abbasi whereas it was chosen as the capital city of the Abbasid Caliphate. As the holy shrines of the tenth and eleventh Imams (a.s) of Shia is present in this city and the twelveth Imam (a.s) also came in this world and gone away from the sights in the same city; Samarra’ has become the destination of pilgrimage for Shias from a long time ago. In addition to Shias, Sunnis also used to travel to this city for the purpose of pilgrimage. As well as some europian road travelers to Iran have also passed through this city and written down some of the architectural features and habitudes and customs of the people of this city.
Whatever has been transmitted about this city in travelogues is about the roads of Samarra’, description of the city and the culture of its Sunni residents, the holy Shrine of Imamayn Askariyain (a.s), the celler and the well of disappearance, the habitudes of Ziyarah and the description of meetings with Marajeh and the elders of this city. Some others have also pointed towards the hardships and difficulties of this journey.
This article is a reflection of the observations of the travelers who had stayed in Samarra’ for a considerable period of time or have passed through this city whereas it presents whatever transmitted in their travelogues to the readers, with reference to their subjects.