Ruṣāfah

Ruṣāfah is a district on the east bank of the Tigris River in Baghdad, Iraq. The city of Baghdad itself was founded in 762 CE by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur as Madinat al-Salam, or "City of Peace." Initially, it was a circular, walled complex known as the "Round City," primarily serving as a government center.

As Baghdad grew, settlements expanded beyond the original walls. Ruṣāfah developed on the east bank, near the palace of al-Mahdi, becoming a significant part of the burgeoning city. During the 8th and 9th centuries, Baghdad flourished as a major center of commerce, culture, and intellectual life, famously depicted in The Thousand and One Nights. Despite periods of decline due to internal strife and invasions, Baghdad, including its Ruṣāfah district, has remained a vital urban area.12