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Ancient Alexandria Arachosia: Crossroads of Empires

Explore Ancient Alexandria Arachosia: A historical landmark in Kandahar, Afghanistan, founded by Alexander the Great, a crossroads of empires.

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Founded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, Ancient Alexandria Arachosia, now part of Kandahar, Afghanistan, was a vital center of trade and cultural exchange. Explore the remnants of this once-thriving city and imagine life in this strategic crossroads of empires [5, 6].

A brief summary to Ancient Alexandria Arachosia

Local tips

  • Engage with local communities to learn about their customs and traditions [16].
  • Check local weather conditions before your visit, as they can change rapidly [16].
  • Dress respectfully, in line with local customs [12].
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Kandahar city center, a taxi is a convenient way to reach Ancient Alexandria Arachosia, located in the Tell of Old Kandahar [16, 5]. Negotiate the fare before starting your journey. A typical short trip from the city center to the site may cost approximately 63-91 AFN as a starting fare, plus 52-72 AFN per km [22]. Be prepared for unpaved roads closer to the site [16].

  • Public Transportation

    Find a local bus or shared taxi heading towards the Old Kandahar area [4]. These can typically be found near central bus terminals in Kandahar. Inform the driver of your destination. Once you arrive in the vicinity, you may need to take a short taxi ride to reach the exact location. The bus fare is generally around 50 AFN [4].

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Discover more about Ancient Alexandria Arachosia

Ancient Alexandria Arachosia, located in present-day Kandahar, Afghanistan, offers a glimpse into a rich and complex past [5, 6]. Founded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC on the site of an earlier Achaemenid fortress, the city quickly rose to prominence as a strategic hub on the Silk Road, connecting Asia and Europe [5, 11]. Arachosia, the ancient region, was geographically defined by the drainage basins of the Helmand, Arghandab, Tarnak, and Arghestan rivers [5]. This location was of vital strategic importance due to its proximity to a mountain pass, a river, and the junction of three long-distance trade routes [6, 5]. The city's significance continued under various empires, including the Seleucid and Mauryan empires, with the city serving as a center for both Greek and Buddhist cultures [7, 5]. Today, the remains of Alexandria Arachosia are found in the Tell of Old Kandahar citadel [5, 11]. Excavations have revealed walls from classical times and a triangular-shaped portion from the Buddhist era [5]. While no ancient Greek buildings have been found, numerous coins, Greek inscriptions, and graves have been discovered [6]. Visiting Ancient Alexandria Arachosia is an opportunity to connect with a pivotal chapter in history, reflecting on the enduring influence of Alexander the Great and the cultural exchanges that occurred in this region [4].

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