Historical Places to visit in Afghanistan

Being at a crossroad for many peoples and cultures throughout ages, Afghanistan has a very rich history. From being at the centre of the Silk Road, to being at wars with the British and the invasion of the Soviets, Afghan history has been turbulent. Secluded from the outside world due to the ongoing conflict, the country’s diverse history gives it several places to visit, which we will shed light upon.

Qala-e-Bost or Bost Fort

This is the remnants of Alexander the Great’s Fortress in Lashkar Gah, Helmand. The Bost Fort is regarded as one of the greatest cultural heritage sites in Afghanistan. Originally built before Christ, the site has been neglected for the past 800 years and no renovation or rehabilitation work has been conducted on the fort.

The Buddhas of Bamyan

Dating back to the 6th century, the monumental statues of Buddha were carved into the side of a cliff in Bamyan and were the tallest statues of Buddha ever made. Although the monuments are now gone, the empty spaces provide a tranquil experience for all visitors.

Minaret of Jam photo/ David Adamec

The Blue Mosque

This is the shrine and resting place of the Islam’s 4th Caliph, Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Islamic Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law. The current shrine was contructed in the 15th century after being demolished during the Mongol invasion at the time of Genghis Khan. After a restoration in the 20th century it is one of the best kept historical landmarks in Afghanistan.

Minaret of Jam

This 800-year-old structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in Ghor province. It is considered to be the second tallest ancient minaret in the world, just behind the Qutb Minaret in Delhi. Its architecture and decoration is significant for its period and was used as a standpoint for the Islamic call to prayer.

The Great Mosque of Herat

This mosque is located in the eastern city of Herat. Built over 800 years ago the Great Mosque is considered as one of the greatest Islamic buildings in Central Asia. The mosaic decorated structure has been a place of worship and knowledge seeking for several centuries and is now used on a daily basis.

Mosque of the Sacred Cloak

 Located in the southern city of Kandahar, the mosque is famously known as the Kherqa Mubarak. This mosque contains the cloak of the Islamic Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), which has been kept here since the 18th century. Brought by Ahmad Shah Durrani, the founder of current Afghanistan, this place has seen millions of visitors over the course of history.

Kabul Museum

Also known as the National Museum of Afghanistan, it was originally opened in 1919 and was once considered as one of the greatest museums in the world. Post the Taliban era the museum has went through major refurbishment and expansion according to international standards. It now has artefacts and collections that spans fifty millenniums, from Prehistoric, Classical, Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic civilization. A must visit for all.

You need an Afghanistan visa to visit all of these interesting places.