Historic Baghdad residence of mystery author Agatha Christie is on the brink of crumbling.
The historic house in Baghdad, where British crime novelist Agatha Christie resided for many years, continues to bear witness to the region's history. Located on the banks of the Tigris River, this building symbolises the architecture of old Baghdadi homes. However, the house is currently in danger of collapsing, and urgent restoration efforts are needed to safeguard its legacy[1][2][3][4].
Agatha Christie selected this house during her time in Iraq in the 1930s. The Tigris River view may have inspired her in her writing, and the city of Baghdad appears in many of her novels, including 'Murder on the Orient Express'. During her extended stay in Baghdad, she came to love the Iraqi people and became a friend of Iraq[5].
Historians and cultural advocates emphasise the house’s historical significance due to Christie’s residence there and its influence on her works. However, as of now, there are no confirmed reports about active restoration projects or formal plans to convert the house into a museum. The deteriorating condition has prompted calls for preservation to safeguard the legacy of both the building and Christie’s connection to Baghdad[3][5].
Intriguingly, it is rumoured that before Agatha Christie, the same house in Baghdad was once home to Ali, the brother of Iraq's King Faisal I. Many of the artifacts discovered by Christie's husband, an expert in antiquities, are now displayed in museums. Iraqi historian Adil Ardavi suggested that the house could be turned into a museum with cooperation between the British Embassy in Baghdad and Iraqi authorities[6].
Despite the train mentioned in the article no longer being in service, during Agatha Christie's time in Baghdad, there was a train that could take people all the way to Turkey and Europe. Agatha Christie was an ambitious woman who also travelled to neighbouring countries from Iraq. Her novels contain depictions of Baghdad, and Iraqis have a strong interest in her novels, with her books always among the most sought-after titles[7].
A warning sign reading "Caution! Risk of collapse" is visible on the walls of the historic house in the Karradat Maryam district of Baghdad. The house is a testament to the rich history of Baghdad and Agatha Christie's time there. It remains a significant piece of cultural heritage, but without immediate intervention, it may be lost[1][4].
[1] Historic Agatha Christie house in Baghdad at risk of collapse
[2] Agatha Christie's Baghdad home in dire need of restoration
[3] Iraqi historian calls for preservation of Agatha Christie's Baghdad home
[4] Agatha Christie's Baghdad Home: A Historical Gem in Peril
[5] Agatha Christie's Baghdad Home: A Historical Treasure in Danger
[6] Iraqi historian calls for preservation of Agatha Christie's Baghdad home
[7] Agatha Christie's Baghdad: A City of Memories
- Despite the house currently being in a precarious state, its location in Baghdad may have inspired Agatha Christie's travel-themed novels.
- The historic house in Baghdad, a home-and-garden piece, is not only significant for its association with Agatha Christie but also for the lifestyle it represents during her residence there.
- To safeguard the legacy of Agatha Christie and the Baghdad house, there have been suggestions for converting it into a museum, a move that could expand the city's entertainment and cultural offerings, particularly in the realms of books and history.
