Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa

Church Assyrian Catholic cathedral in Ankawa suburb of Erbil

Ankawa’s Cathedral of Saint Joseph serves the city’s Christian community in Erbil Governorate; visitors attend liturgies and observe local church art within a predominantly Christian neighbourhood.

Main image
Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa
Ankawa, Erbil Governorate, Iraq
36.2274, 43.9922
Free (donations welcome)

How to Get to Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa #

Ankawa is a suburb of Erbil, about 8-10 km north of Erbil’s old citadel. From Erbil International Airport (approximately 30-40 minutes by taxi), take the Ainkawa/Ankawa road toward the Christian quarter; taxis and ride-hailing are the easiest way. From downtown Erbil, a taxi or shared minivan will reach Ankawa in 15-30 minutes depending on traffic.

Tips for Visiting Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa #

  • Visit midweek after morning Mass to avoid family groups and school tours.
  • Combine a walk through Ankawa's narrow streets with a stop at a teahouse - the community around the cathedral has lively café life in the late afternoon.
  • Be mindful of photography during services; ask permission before taking pictures of worshippers.

Best Time to Visit Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa #

Best visited outside summer heat and during the week when local parish life is visible; Ankawa can be busy on Sundays.

Spring
March-May · 12-24°C (54-75°F)
Comfortable temperatures and flowering almond trees make the suburb easier to explore on foot.
Autumn
September-November · 15-26°C (59-79°F)
Crisp evenings and clear light suit walking the older Christian quarter and photographing street life.
Winter
December-February · 3-12°C (37-54°F)
Colder, quieter months when weekday services are the most reliable sign of activity.

Weather & Climate near Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa #

Climate

Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Ankawa's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 42°C. Moderate rainfall (583 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 98 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JuneSeptemberOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
50°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (118 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

118 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 23°
50%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
13.0h daylight

May

May is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
17° 31°
38%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.0h daylight

June

June is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
30°C
Temperature
22° 38°
22%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
14.5h daylight

July

July is the hottest month with highs of 42°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
34°C
Temperature
26° 42°
17%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
14.2h daylight

August

August is hot with highs of 41°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
33°C
Temperature
25° 41°
17%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

September

September is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
20° 37°
20%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.3h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 28°
32%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

12 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).

73 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

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