Agatha Christie’s former Baghdad residence at risk of collapse
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Iraqi historians and locals recall Agatha Christie’s deep ties to Baghdad as calls grow to rescue the decaying riverside house where she once lived.
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Home to iconic British mystery writer Agatha Christie, along the Tigris River in Baghdad (@reaam_mh)
A historic residence along the Tigris River in Baghdad, once home to iconic British mystery writer Agatha Christie, is on the brink of collapse, Anadolu Agency reported.
Situated in the Karadat Maryam district of Iraq’s capital, the house now bears a stark warning: “Caution! Danger of collapse.” Though visibly deteriorating, the building remains a silent witness to Iraq’s layered history and Christie’s personal connection to the region.
Christie spent nearly 13 years in Iraq, during which her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan, conducted excavations that led to the discovery of artifacts now housed in various museums.
According to Iraqi historian Adil Ardavi, Christie’s decision to live in Baghdad was deeply influenced by her admiration for traditional architecture and the view of the Tigris, which he believes inspired her writing.
Wider context
Before Christie moved in, local lore held that the home belonged to Prince Ali, brother of King Faisal I, Iraq’s monarch from 1921 to 1933.
“Agatha Christie wrote extensively about Baghdad,” Ardavi said, noting that parts of her famous novel Murder on the Orient Express are set in the city. “There was a train connecting Baghdad to Turkiye and Europe, and she used it frequently. She deeply loved the Iraqi people and became close to the community during her time here.”
Despite its current state, Ardavi suggested that cooperation between the British Embassy and Iraqi authorities could preserve the residence by converting it into a museum.
Hamza Ebu Sali, a longtime bookseller on Baghdad’s famed Mutanabbi Street, emphasized the enduring popularity of Christie’s work in Iraq. “Her novels remain among the most sought-after titles in our bookshops,” he said, recalling her time in Iraq during the 1930s.
As one of the few surviving cultural landmarks tied to Christie’s life abroad, the fate of her Baghdad home now rests in the hands of those willing to preserve its legacy.
Notable works inspired by her time in Iraq
Notable works inspired by her time in Iraq include:
- Murder in Mesopotamia (1936) – set at an excavation site in Iraq;
- Appointment with Death (1938) – includes scenes in Petra and the region;
- Come, Tell Me How You Live (1946) – a memoir of her life on digs in Syria and Iraq.
