Overview:

Located in the western Afghan city of Herat, the Herat Citadel is a 3,000-year-old fortress surrounded by 150-foot-high mud walls. The Citadel is considered one of the most remarkable monuments of Islamic architecture in Afghanistan. Its most remarkable feature is its huge mosaic gate, or bāb-i ḥadīd, designed to resemble an entrance to a medieval palace. Over the centuries, the Citadel has served as a defensive fortress, an administrative center, and a royal residence. Today, the fortress serves as a major tourist attraction and is included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Afghanistan
Prominent Features:

-Herat Citadel, located in western Afghanistan, is a fortified complex of ruins that was first constructed in 330 BC by the Achaemenid Empire. -The main parts of the site include a grand citadel, an outer city (or suburban area), and several other smaller structures such as shrines, mosques, and caravanserais. -It stands as a symbol of Afghan culture, for it is considered to be the oldest and most important historical site in the country. -The site is known for its unique architecture, which combines Greek-Achaemenid and Central Asian influences. -The citadel is surrounded by thick walls and entered through eight grand gates. Inside the complex are several buildings including mosques, residential buildings, and a grand bathhouse. -Much of the site is in ruins, but some individual parts have been restored, such as the central fort, the terrace wall, the grand mosque (al-Abbas), and two teahouses. -Herat Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006, known for its importance as a centre of cultural and intellectual exchange over the centuries. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Afghanistan.

History:

Herat Citadel, situated in the northwest of the city of Herat, Afghanistan, is one of the country’s most important cultural sites. It is believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC and is said to have nearly 40 towers within it. Thus, it is the largest and best preserved citadel in Central Asia. The limestone towers that make up the citadel were originally used for defensive purposes, with numerous towers constructed to guard the city from enemies. Over the centuries, Herat Citadel has been used as a residence for kings, and as a base of operations for warriors. It has also been used as a prison and a garrison. In the 11th century, the Seljuq Turks destroyed much of the site, forcing the city’s inhabitants to rebuild it. After the Mongol invasion of 1221, the walls were reconstructed in brick and the citadel was renovated with a large palace and gardens. The Mongol presence in Herat did not last too long, however; they were eventually driven out by the Timurids, who then made Herat their capital. During this time, the city flourished as an important center of trade, culture, and art. Herat Citadel was subsequently occupied by the Qizilbash, Safavids, and Durranis. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Citadel again fell into disrepair, and in the late 1960s, it was almost entirely destroyed by heavy fighting during the Soviet-Afghan War. Following the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Herat was slowly rebuilt, including the Citadel. In 2006, the UNESCO World Heritage List added it as a Cultural Site. Visit one of the famous monuments of Afghanistan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Herat Citadel, located in Afghanistan, is one of the oldest citadels in the world. Built in 330 BC, it is a sprawling archaeological site still standing from the Achaemenid Empire. 2. It holds the tombs of Alexander the Great, his father, and other historic monuments. 3. The citadel is surrounded by five imposing high walls which are up to 10 feet thick. 4. The entire structure covers an area of approximately 450,000 square meters on a site that is estimated to have been a far older defensive post. 5. Herat Citadel is a globally-recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. 6. It has been damaged and restored multiple times throughout the centuries including damage done by Genghis Khan and the Anglo-Afghan Wars. 7. The largest portion of the citadel is the mosque, which is one of the oldest and most famous in Afghanistan. 8. It is estimated that there are many tombs and ancient monuments that are yet to be discovered within the walls of the citadel. 9. Herat Citadel is also home to a large bazaar that was operational until the 1990s. 10. The site remains an important cultural center and houses many museums. One of the historical monuments of Afghanistan, it tells the story of a bygone era