Overview:

Old City of Balkh is a historic city in Northern Afghanistan located near the border with Uzbekistan. It is one of the oldest settlements in Afghanistan, the foundation of which is attributed to Kaikobad I, a Persian prince who reigned in Balkh in the 5th century BCE. It is known for its monuments, including the Great Mosque of Balkh, the Buddhas of Bamiyan, and the remnants of the Zoroastrian temples. Many of the sites are believed to date back to the Kushan period. The city also has Buddhist sites, such as the stupas of Hosseinabad and Yamo. Throughout history, Balkh has been famous for its exquisite handmade Persian carpets. The city is an important agricultural center and is known for its hand-made pottery, silk, and dried fruits. It also has a vibrant market with a variety of food stalls and souvenir shops. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Afghanistan
Prominent Features:

1. The Great Mosque of Balkh: One of the oldest and most significant places of worship in Afghanistan, dating back to A.D. 771, and still functioning. 2. Tomb of Ali: This ancient tomb of the first Imam of Shia Muslims is located in the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Balkh. 3. Mausoleum of Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa: The tomb of the famous Persian poet Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa is located in the city. 4. Citadel of Balkh: This ancient fortress is located on a hilltop and provides an impressive panoramic view of the city and its surrounding areas. 5. Kafir-Qala: This 12th century fort, located about four kilometers west of Balkh, was used in the Afghan wars. 6. Chakh-e-Sher Dawaza: This ancient construct has an inscription from the 13th century and offers a spectacular view of the river Oxus. 7. Bagh-e-Rabat: This large garden complex is a great place for picnics and leisurely walks. 8. Ruins of Bustam: This ancient city located and is an architectural and archaeological site of some importance. 9. Babur Gardens: Created during the 16th century by the famous Mughal emperor Babur, these gardens offer a quiet and peaceful respite from the bustling city. 10. Xuan Hua Men Gate: Located at the southeastern entrance of the old city, this famous gate was constructed during the Qing Dynasty. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Afghanistan.

History:

The Old City of Balkh is the ancient city of Afghanistan located in the north of the modern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. It is believed to be over 2500 years old and has been identified as the capital of ancient Bactria in the 6th Century BC. Originally an important settlement of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC, Balkh was conquered and held by Alexander the Great in 329 BC. It eventually fell under Seleucid rule, and then the control of the Parthian Empire as a satrapy. In the 2nd century BC, it became a major city in the Kushan Empire and a powerful center of Buddhist spirituality and trade. After the fall of Kushan rule, Balkh eventually fell to the Sassanids and was annexed by the Persian Sassanid Empire. In the 5th century the city was conquered by the Hephthalite Empire and then by the Umayyad Caliphate. In the 12th century, the city of Balkh was conquered by the Ghaznavids, and by the Ghurids, who were a Buddhist dynasty, in the 12th and 13th century. In 1221, the city was destroyed by Genghis Khan's army before a revolt in 1245, but not before their collapse, the city of Balkh became a major trade and commerce hub in Central Asia. It became a major crossroads of various trade routes, and the city attracted merchants from around the world. After the reign of the Mongols, Balkh became part of the Mughal Empire in 1520, and was a major center of civil administration. By 1750, Balkh was a major city of the Afghan Empire, and at the time, it was the largest city in the Empire. The city of Balkh continued to remain a place of spiritual and artistic importance, particularly for the Shi'ites, until 1973 when the Afghan Civil War caused much of the city's inhabitants, including the religious minorities, to flee. The city was heavily damaged from the years of war, but has since been undergoing restoration in recent years. Today, Balkh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as a important site of religious pilgrimage for Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists alike. Visit one of the famous monuments of Afghanistan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Balkh is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is believed to be more than 5,000 years old. 2. The city is known as the birthplace of Zoroastrianism and is referred to as “the mother of cities.” 3. It is widely accepted as the birthplace of the Prophet Zoroaster, whose teachings still influence some mainstream religions today. 4. Balkh was an important center of Buddhism, with a large monastery that had a powerful influence on the religion. 5. It was also a major trading centre and a major cultural centre for much of its history, with famous poets, scientists, and scholars hailing from here. 6. Balkh was one of the greatest cities of the Ancient world, and is historically known as the “mother of all cities”. 7. This city is mentioned in records from ancient Egypt, Sumeria, Babylon, and other ancient cultures. 8. Balkh is the city where one of Alexander the Great’s generals, Hephaestion, died and was buried. 9. The city is also associated with the 9th century philosopher and theologian, al-Farabi. 10. The area now known as Balkh has been a significant site for Buddhism since at least 75 AD, when it was referred to in the Pali scriptures as 'Vihalabhumi', or 'The Land of Noble Women'. One of the historical monuments of Afghanistan, it tells the story of a bygone era