Sightseeing in Herat - what to see. Complete travel guide
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The story of Herat started many millennia ago, yet during the ancient period. Historians still do not know the exact date when the city was founded. Earlier mentions of Herat date back to the period of the Achaemenid Empire. When Alexander the Great ran his campaign against the Persians and captured the territory of the modern city, he renamed it to Alexandria Ariana. When the legendary leader died, the city was captured by different kings and rulers and was added to different countries in Central Asia. Despite the continuous change of rulers, Herat remained an important stop on the Silk Road.
The Great Mosque of Herat or Jami Masjid of Herat, which was built the Ghurids under the rule of the Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad Ghori, is still the most important landmark in the city. The foundation of the shrine was laid at the beginning of the 13th century. The sacred building was destroyed a number of times during battles, military attacks, and natural disasters. Global reconstruction of the mosque happened in the 14th century. This is when the mosque got a beautiful garden surrounding it. When the Afghan War happened, the mosque was severely damaged once again. The renovation works started only in the 40s of the 20th century.
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The Citadel of Herat is considered the oldest building in the city. You will find it in the historic part of Herat. The building is two hundred and fifty meters long. This is a gorgeous architectural complex consisting of eighteen towers that rise above other nearby buildings as their height is almost thirty meters. Initially, there was a moat surrounding the citadel, but the moat was dried and demolished in 2003. A park appeared instead of it soon, and now this is a popular public area that attracts both locals and guests of the city. The northwestern part of the citadel still has writings that praise the castle and name it the strongest citadel of its time. Before, lines from poems decorated the walls.
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The Museum of Jihad is another important attraction that is open in West Herat. The venue opened its doors in 2010. During a visit to this museum, you will learn more about the wars and battle conflicts that happened in Afghanistan. The building consists of three rotundas. One of them is blue and the other two rotundas are green and white. Outside walls form a memorial with the names of soldiers who died during bloody battles, as well as the names of civilians who died on those tough times for the history of the city. Near the museum, there is a beautiful park with fountains that is great to relax after an excursion in the museum.
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This guide to iconic landmarks and sights of Herat is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Herat and surroundings
Sightseeing in Afghanistan: things to see
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