Herat Citadel: A Timeless Fortress

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Explore the ancient Herat Citadel, a majestic fortress with roots stretching back to Alexander the Great, offering a glimpse into Afghanistan's rich history.

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Herat Citadel

The Herat Citadel, also known as the Citadel of Alexander, is a historic fortress in the heart of Herat, Afghanistan. Believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, it has been a silent witness to Afghanistan's turbulent past, serving as a seat of power, a military garrison, and even a prison [3, 4].

A brief summary to Herat Citadel

85WQ+753 قلعه اختیارالدین (ارگ تاریخی هرات)، جاده انصاری, Herat, Pay-e-Hesar, AF
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Monday 10 am-12 am
Tuesday 10 am-12 am
Wednesday 10 am-12 am
Thursday 10 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 10 am-4 am
Sunday 10 am-12 am

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Herat Citadel.

Check the current security situation and travel advisories before planning your visit, as conditions can change [5].
The best times to visit are during spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) for pleasant weather [5, 12].
Bargain with the guards for the entrance fee, as it may be possible to get a lower price or even free entry [7].
Dress modestly to respect local customs and avoid unwanted attention [12].

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Getting There

Walking

The Herat Citadel is centrally located in Herat, making it accessible by walking from many points in the city [4, 8]. From the Friday Mosque (Masjid Jami), head north; the citadel is a prominent landmark [5, 9]. No costs are associated with walking.
Public Transport

Local buses and taxis are available in Herat [16]. From most locations in the city, you can take a local bus heading towards the city center and get off near the Citadel. Alternatively, a taxi can take you directly to the entrance. A short taxi ride within the city typically costs around 50-100 AFN [currency needed].

Discover more about Herat Citadel

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].