Herat Citadel: A Timeless Fortress

Towering over Herat's Old City, the Herat Citadel, also called Qala Ikhtyaruddin, has observed the city's triumphs and setbacks for centuries [3, 4]. The oldest structure in Herat, it is thought to stand on the site of a fort established by Alexander the Great [3, 6, 11]. Since its construction, it has functioned as a seat of power, military garrison, and prison until 2005, when the Afghan army gave it to the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, allowing outsiders to enter for the first time [3]. The Citadel is built on an artificial mound, stretching 250 meters from east to west [3, 4]. Its 18 towers rise more than 30 meters above street level, with walls 2 meters thick [3].The current structure was largely constructed in 1415 by Shah Rukh, following Timur's destruction of what little Genghis Khan had left standing [3, 4]. The exterior was once adorned with a monumental Kufic script of a poem declaring the castle's grandeur, but sadly, only a small portion of this tiling remains on the northwest wall, known as the 'Timurid Tower' [3]. The citadel has faced repeated pillaging and neglect, with locals taking valuable roof beams and bricks [3]. In 1953, the army commander planned to demolish it completely, but King Zahir Shah intervened [3].Between 2006 and 2011, the Herat Citadel underwent a complete renovation, involving hundreds of Afghan craftsmen and funding from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, as well as contributions from the U.S. and German governments [4, 11]. Visitors enter through the modern western entrance to the Citadel's lower enclosure [3]. Archaeological excavations are ongoing in the main courtyard [3, 4]. A small hammam to the left features beautifully painted but damaged walls with flowers and peacocks [3, 4]. The massive curtain wall, topped with battlements, offers stunning views over Herat [3, 12]. The Herat National Museum is housed within the citadel, showcasing artifacts, traditional clothes, and photographs illustrating the history of Herat and the region [5, 11, 17].