Open-air exhibition of vernacular architecture, with workshops for the reconstruction and study of ancient boats.
Maritime Heritage Gallery
Exhibition of Iraqi maritime heritage hosted by Basra Museum, now available as a virtual tour.
Map of Project Sites
Growing network of Heritage Boat Clubs, local initiatives, and touring exhibition.
The Open Museum Initiative for Water Cultures (OMI) has emerged from a decade’s work to study, protect and revitalise Iraq’s endangered water heritage, focusing on traditional inland boats and crafts.
Based in Basra, where the Shatt al-Arab joins the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to the Gulf, the initiative seeks cooperation and knowledge exchange towards a regional perspective on water cultures.