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Can Agatha Christie’s Baghdad Villa Be Saved? A Fading Literary Landmark At Risk

Agatha Christie’s historic villa in Baghdad, once her riverside refuge and creative haven, now faces collapse. As Iraq’s heritage struggles for survival, can this iconic literary site be saved before it disappears forever?

A view of the crumbling state of Agatha Christie's erstwhile residence in Baghdad Photo: @reaam_mh/x
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On the western bank of the Tigris in Baghdad's Karadat Maryam district, a villa in disrepair stands on the brink of collapse. Once a stately riverside residence, it housed the celebrated "Queen of Crime" Agatha Christie. The house was the address of one of the most renowned authors of the 20th century during her travels through Iraq alongside her archaeologist husband, Max Mallowan. However, today, the historic house, once steeped in literary and archaeological significance, suffers an undignified neglect and is confronted with a bleak future. As reported by a Turkish-based international broadcaster, the current dilapidated state of the house is a cause for alarm over a possible disappearance of what should have been one of Iraq's prized connections to a literary icon being.

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